HELLO, WE ARE THE EAST TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
NEWS, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ETCOG welcomed about 60 guests last month for the ribbon-cutting of the new GoBus Maintenance Facility, located behind ETCOG Headquarters in Kilgore. The event marked the completion of a project that has been in discussion, planning, and construction for several years, bringing together local leaders, partner agencies, and community members to see the results firsthand. ETCOG's Executive Director, David Cleveland, opened the program by recognizing elected officials and partners who helped move the project forward. He noted that the new facility strengthens ETCOG's mission to support the needs of East Texans through dependable public transit and thanked the teams and contractors who worked hard to bring the building to life. Transportation Director Vince Huerta shared how the facility will improve daily operations for GoBus across the 14-county region. With added work bays, a wash bay, training space, and expanded parking, maintenance can be handled on-site, giving crews the tools they need to keep vehicles safe and ready for the road. TxDOT's Greg Davis spoke about how the $3.3M project showcased the value of strong cooperation between state and regional partners. ETCOG 1st Vice Chairman, Camp County Judge A.J. Mason, reflected on his experience reviewing the project from its earliest financial discussions to its completion. "When this project was first discussed, it was an idea on paper," he said. "Standing here today, it's rewarding to see those decisions become bricks and mortar...a place that will keep GoBus running safely for years to come." After the ribbon was cut, attendees toured the facility and shared conversations about the years of planning that led to this point. It was a moment that honored the work behind the scenes and the steady commitment to serving the region well.
Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Grant Funding Available for East Texas Public Safety Projects
East Texas public agencies, nonprofits, schools, and federally recognized tribes will soon have the chance to apply for FY 2027 grant funding through the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office. The application window for Homeland Security and Criminal Justice programs opens Monday, December 15, 2025, and closes Thursday, February 13, 2026. ETCOG invites new and returning applicants from our fourteen-county region to attend free grant workshops hosted by our Public Safety team. Grant funding will be available for the following programs: Homeland Security State Homeland Security Program – Regular Projects (SHSP-R) Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA) Criminal Justice General Victim Assistance Direct Services Program (VOCA) Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA) Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (JJ/TP) Criminal Justice Program (JAG) Weekly workshops for each grant category will be held online from December 20 through January 28, 2026. Participation is required for all applicants for each grant category. To join a Homeland Security workshop, visit www.pineywoods911.com/homeland-security . Sessions are held on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:15 AM on these dates: December 31, 2025 January 7, 2026 January 14, 2026 January 21, 2026 January 28, 2026 To join a Criminal Justice workshop, visit www.pineywoods911.com/criminal-justice . Sessions are held on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:15 AM on these dates: December 30, 2025 January 6, 2026 January 13, 2026 January 20, 2026 “The goal is to improve public safety, support victims of crime, and help jurisdictions address gaps in the region with funding that encourages practical solutions,” said ETCOG Public Safety Director Stephanie Heffner. “We guide applicants on what to include in their proposals and what they need to track once funding is awarded, so we can keep bringing strong public safety projects to East Texas.”
ETCOG announces that $3.1 million in grants from the Office of the Governor's (OOG) Public Safety Office have been awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations. These funds are aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting victims of crime. The program’s mission is to strengthen Texas communities by supporting initiatives that help victims recover and feel secure while also preventing crime through programs that: Prevent juvenile delinquency and support truancy prevention Provide services to victims of crime and address violence against women Support law enforcement and improve the criminal justice system Prevent child sex trafficking, bring justice to its perpetrators, and restore victims ETCOG's Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually, and applications submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local subject-matter experts from across the region. The following Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, and Juvenile Assistance grants totaling $3,136,019.36 have been approved by the OOG for funding in East Texas: Victims of Crime Act Funds - $2,528,962.18 The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to providing direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and navigate the justice system.
