In an effort to become more involved in community events, the Wood County Economic Development Commission directors voted to be a sponsor for two upcoming events and get involved in sponsoring groundbreaking ceremonies.

Directors agreed to be a $1,000 sponsor for the annual Tips for Tots benefiting the Wood County Child Welfare and Protections boards, scheduled Sept. 9 at Lake Fork, and $1,500 for the Okrapalooza planned Sept. 8 at the Mineola Nature Preserve by the Promise of Peace Gardens.

One upcoming event for a groundbreaking will be the runway expansion project for the Wood County Airport.

The WCEDC is also sponsoring an economic development conference on Wednesday, July 24 at the Mineola Civic Center for cities, economic development commissions and chambers of commerce.

It will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and will be held in conjunction with the monthly WCEDC board meeting from 12-1, with the participants invited to attend that meeting.

Todd Witt updated the board on the latest project by Wood County Walls, an artists alley in Mineola from US Hwy. 69 west for two blocks between Broad and Commerce Streets.

It will kick off with an event Saturday, July 20.

The alley will be home to a revolving street art exhibit with new pieces by local artists going up quarterly, according to Witt.

There will be installations from 10 UT-Tyler art students and their instructor Maclovio Cantu.

They will be joined by Mineola ISD graphic design instructor Aaron Cavitt and MISD students with a couple of pieces.

Mineola League of the Arts will also be adding street art pieces from a collection of local artists. 

Directors discussed the possibility of hosting a Bassmasters kayak series fishing tournament at Lake Fork in 2025.