Alliance to hear details of SURRMA

By BRAD KELLAR
The Commerce Journal

January 18, 2008 12:54 pm

— Details of the plan for expanding the major transportation route between Commerce and Paris are scheduled to be presented next week during a luncheon meeting of area business and government leaders.
The Hunt County Alliance for Economic Development is scheduled to meet at Faith Bible Church on Highway 66 in Caddo Mills starting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The luncheon is to feature the Sulphur River Regional Mobility Authority (SURRMA) as a future transportation and economic development tool.
The SURRMA represents Hunt, Delta, Hopkins and Lamar counties. One year ago the commissioners courts in all of the counties filed a petition before the Texas Transportation Commission, seeking the formation of the SURRMA, which is governed by a nine-member board of directors. Two members are appointed by the commissioners courts from each county, with one of the two members specifically representing the interests of a city within the county. In Hunt County, one member represents the interests of the City of Commerce. Donald Wall of Paris was appointed in September as the presiding officer of the board by Governor Rick Perry.
The SURRMA'S first planned project is completing the expansion into four lanes of State Highway 24 from Commerce to Paris. The SURRMA is proposing to develop, design and construct a $32 million, 10-mile expansion project using a pass-through financing agreement.
Cost for the luncheon is $10 per person, payable at the door. Those attending the meeting are required to RSVP by Monday by calling Sylvia at 903-455-9885.