SOUTH TEXAS  (AP) – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking official corporate partnerships for the first time as it struggles with budget cuts, drought and wildfires.

Agency officials said Wednesday they planned to offer use of their logo and brand while promoting companies in exchange for much-needed cash.

State governments across the U.S. have faced growing deficits, but industry officials say Texas may be the first to tie its parks department to contract-based corporate partners.

The agency has suffered budget cuts of $114 million, or 17.6 percent, in recent years as the Legislature struggled with a $27 billion shortfall. It oversees state parks, and issues hunting and fishing licenses.

Marketing director Darcy Bontempo says significant sources of revenue were lost through wildfires, including one that destroyed 90 percent of Bastrop State Park.

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