Community Leadership and Coordination: Mesquite, Texas, population 128,977, is an inner ring suburb located directly east of Dallas. Like many of the inner ring suburban cities in Texas, Mesquite is experiencing a time of citywide revitalization and redevelopment challenges. To proactively approach these issues, in 2007 the City of Mesquite (COM) launched a deliberate process of positive community revitalization called "Project Renewal." This project includes an aggressive plan to improve the aesthetic appearance of the city, revive older neighborhoods and bolster retail and commercial development projects. This new project will include funding for street improvements, beautification, increased code enforcement and redevelopment in key areas of the city. Keep Mesquite Beautiful (KMB) is excited to be an integral partner with the COM during this time of positive change. As part of the renewal process within city entities, KMB proudly debuted a new logo that reflects the colors of the city and expresses pride in the natural beauty of our city.

In addition to the COM, KMB has worked for the past twenty years to foster partnerships with local schools, businesses, corporations and civic organizations. Some of our local partners include local government entities such as the COM and the Mesquite City Council; public and private schools, including the Mesquite Independent School District, Dallas Christian School, and Eastfield College; over 45 business and corporate partners including First State Bank, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Whataburger; and over 25 Civic Organizations and Clubs including Phi Theta Kappa, Mesquite Ministerial Alliance and Mesquite Garden Club.

KMB is a proud affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Keep Texas Beautiful, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and is ranked as a Tree City USA. KMB is funded through a combination of private donations, local sponsorships, memberships, water bill solicitations, hotel/motel occupancy tax and in-kind government support. KMB’s annual operating budget of $47,750 is composed of 47% Hotel/Motel occupancy tax, 35% water bill insert donations, and 18% local donations and sponsorships for special events, memberships and fundraising activities, such as a raffle. These sponsorships also included an $800 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation and a $3,500 grant from First State Bank.

KMB has a part-time Executive Director, a twenty member Board of Directors, and a dedicated adult and teen volunteer force. The COM offers in-kind support through the Solid Waste Division (SWD), Environmental Code and the Community Services Department, as well. Each of these members works as a team to effectively promote KMB’s mission.

Training is provided several times during the year for all board and committee members. As a stipulation of membership, each board member is required to attend a minimum of one training session each year. The trainings offered include a two-hour new member orientation in January of each year (and a detailed guideline notebook); a annual three hour Board Planning/Training Session in the fall of each year; attendance fees for the KTB conference each year; and attendance fees and lodging for the KAB conference for the Board Chair.

Youth Education: KMB is actively involved in reaching today’s youth with the messages of Litter Prevention and Recycling through our school programs, Student Advisory Board and Special Events. In 2007, KMB worked with 5 scout groups, 3 student groups from Eastfield College, our local Phi Theta Kappa chapter, 6 elementary schools, 8 groups of students from 3 local high schools, 2 church youth groups and a Disciple Now Team for our bi-annual Trash Bash and Clean Team events. KMB also partnered with 4 students from the Business Professionals of America club at Horn High School to develop a two-minute PSA about what local citizens can do to impact our environment. This PSA was entered in a statewide competition and shown on the local MISD cable channel.