HELLO, WE ARE THE EAST TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
NEWS, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has announced a significant step in expanding broadband access for one of its member communities in East Texas. The City of Lakeport has been awarded $200,000 in grant funding from the Federal Communications Commission under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program to improve broadband access in underserved and unserved areas of the community. ETCOG collaborated with City of Lakeport leadership to seek broadband partners and helped secure Zito West Holding, LLC to expand reliable, high-speed internet service for local residents. The partnership brings together local leadership, a private broadband provider, and regional planning assistance to strengthen digital access throughout the city. Through this initiative, Zito will construct a new fiber-to-the-home network designed to serve approximately 190 homes in Lakeport. Zito currently provides fiber service to 348 homes in the city. The expanded network will offer upload and download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second. Construction began on December 15 th . “The City of Lakeport sincerely appreciates its partnership with the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) in the effort to acquire broadband internet access for our community. Through ETCOG’s leadership, technical expertise, and support in navigating funding and planning opportunities, Lakeport has been able to move forward with expanding reliable broadband services. This partnership strengthens our ability to support local businesses, enhance educational opportunities, improve access to healthcare, and promote long-term economic growth. The City of Lakeport values ETCOG’s continued collaboration and commitment to improving connectivity for communities across East Texas,” said Mayor Johnny Sammons. “This project demonstrates how planning and partnerships can bring reliable broadband to communities across East Texas,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “We’re proud to support Lakeport in connecting residents and businesses to essential digital services.”
ETCOG is pleased to announce new leadership for its Chief Elected Officials – Rural Transportation Planning Organization (CEO–RTPO) Board. At its December 4 th meeting, the CEO–RTPO Board reappointed Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur as Chair and Camp County Judge AJ Mason as Vice Chair, and reappointed its Executive Committee members. The CEO–RTPO Board consists of the county judges from each of the 14 counties served by ETCOG, the Mayors of Longview and Tyler, the three Texas Department of Transportation District Engineers serving the ETCOG region, and the Executive Director of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. The Board serves a dual function of shared oversight of the region's workforce programs with the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board and working directly with TXDOT to ensure that transportation priorities are developed and solutions implemented for the region's rural communities. "With deep admiration and respect for my colleagues, I express my sincere appreciation for their confidence in calling me to continue to serve as Chairman of the Chief Elected Officials –Rural Transportation Planning Organization Board. I have such esteem for these county judicial and city leaders, who sacrificially serve the needs and interests of East Texas. Together, as servants of the public's trust, we will continue to confront challenges and seize opportunities for the future of the 14 counties and cities in our region. With rich natural resources, the beauty of our lands, coupled with the values and strong work ethic of our people, East Texas sits in a strategic position to grow economically while maintaining the quality of life we all enjoy. As a son of Gregg County, God called me back to my East Texas roots after my service to our country through the U.S. Navy. Upon returning home to the piney woods, I had a burden in my heart to invest my life in serving my fellow East Texans. As I do that, I ask for the prayers of my colleagues and the people of East Texas," said Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur. Judge LaFleur joined the board in 2018, has served on its Executive Committee since 2021, and began his chairmanship in 2023. “Heartfelt congratulations to Chairman LaFleur on his re-election to lead the CEO-RTPO Board once again!! His leadership and dedication to the East Texas region are appreciated by his fellow County Judges and Mayors, who once again supported his candidacy, and by the entire East Texas Council of Governments staff!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. Judge AJ Mason joined the board in 2016 and has served as its Vice Chair and on the Executive Committee since 2018. "Continuing to work with the other members of the CEO-RTPO board presents a great opportunity to serve our region as a whole. Bringing that knowledge and information back to Camp County is beneficial to the citizens I represent. Under Judge LaFleur's chairmanship, our region will continue to face new challenges in a productive way that will benefit all East Texans," said Camp County Judge AJ Mason. The board also reappointed its Executive Committee, which may meet on behalf of the full board as needed between regularly scheduled meetings. It is comprised of Chair LaFleur, Vice Chair Mason, Rusk County Judge Joel Hale, Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, and Harrison County Judge Chad Sims. Under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, the CEO Board is responsible for the leadership and board appointments to the local workforce development board. The CEOs partner with the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board to build a premier workforce in the region and are the primary source of local workforce policy. ETCOG formed its RTPO in 2009 to provide a forum for local elected officials to establish rural transportation project priorities and planning, and provide direct input to TxDOT concerning those priorities for areas not included in a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Through the RTPO, all 14 of our counties and the cities not served by the Longview or Tyler MPOs can deliver a unified message to state and federal decision-makers on transportation needs and priorities. The Board meets during April, August, and December to address the joint business agenda of the CEO–RTPO Board in a blended meeting format. The full membership of the CEO–RTPO Board is available at www.etcog.org/about#GoverningBoards .
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.
