SVM Rural and Regional Definitions

Rural Definition:

A rural community may be defined as a distinct primary-industry dependent community located in a Rural Veterinary Incentive Program (RIVP) - eligible county. Background: HB2026 of the 88th Texas Legislature amended Section 56.191(7) of the Texas Education Code (TEC) to define a Rural County as a county with a population less that 150,000. These counties are eligible for the Rural Veterinary Incentive Program. Population data are from the 2022 Population Estimates Program and 2021 American Community Survey.

Regional Definition:

A Regional Community may be defined as a distinct municipality that serves as a hub providing a variety of services for primary production industries and communities that surround the Regional Community. Nonexclusive examples of regional communities include Amarillo, Lubbock, Wichita Falls, San Angelo, Las Cruses, Corpus Christi, Tyler, and communities along the Texas/Mexico border from El Paso to Brownsville.