Get in touch

903-218-6400

3800 Stone Road
Kilgore, TX 75662

Providing
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS 

for East Texas

OUR SERVICES

Providing
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS
for East Texas

OUR SERVICES

HELLO, WE ARE THE 
EAST TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

We are a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts within the fourteen-county East Texas region. 

We assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development.


We serve as the bridge between federal, state, and local governments, helping cities and counties solve challenges and impact the future regionally.


Established in 1970, ETCOG, either directly or through its contractors, provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers, and job seekers. ETCOG and its contractors also build the 9-1-1 emergency call delivery system, provide peace officer training and homeland security planning services, and deliver rural transportation services, business finance programs, and environmental grant funding for the region. 


We serve Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. 



SERVING EAST TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, 

SENIORS, EMPLOYERS, AND JOB SEEKERS

  • GIS & IT Services

    Regional Technology Solutions

    Button
  • More Services

    NEWS, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Individuals standing in a gathering (circle) cheering with trash bags in hand.
    By East Texas Council of Governments 05 Mar, 2024
    The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $93,500 in grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) awarded to East Texas jurisdictions, special districts, and regional initiatives to support waste minimization efforts in ETCOG's fourteen-county region. This funding assists jurisdictions in establishing or expanding projects that would directly provide a measurable effect on reducing the amount of waste going into area landfills by diverting various materials from the municipal solid waste stream for beneficial use or reducing waste generation at the source. Applicants were eligible to apply for the following Municipal Solid Waste Grant Project Categories: 1) Local Enforcement, 2) Litter and Illegal Dumping Clean Up and Community Collection Events, 3) Source Reduction and Recycling, 4) Local Solid Waste Management Plans, 5) Citizens' Collection Stations and "Small" Registered Transfer Stations, 6) Household Hazardous Waste Management, 7) Technical Studies, 8) Educational and Training Projects. ETCOG annually helps jurisdictions apply for funds, which are then ranked and scored by our Solid Waste Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of local subject matter experts from the region. After the ETCOG Executive Committee approves the projects, we recommend them to TCEQ. The following grants in East Texas have been approved for funding by TCEQ. "ETCOG appreciates the efforts of many of our jurisdictions to apply for these funds, as well as the Solid Waste Advisory Committee’s commitment to making East Texas a cleaner place to live," said ETCOG's Economic Development Manager, Parker Harrison. “These essential projects led to the cleanup of hundreds of sites, almost 5,000 tires, and the collection of nearly a million pounds of solid waste last year. We look forward to seeing the results this year’s projects will bring to the region.”
    By East Texas Council of Governments 27 Feb, 2024
    The solar eclipse is fast approaching, so get ready to experience this rare event where the moon covers the sun, creating a breathtaking sight. ETCOG Regional Technology Solutions (RTS) has played an important role in enhancing your experience by determining if you are within the path of totality. The solar eclipse, marked by the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth, resulting in the temporary obscuration of the sun's light. During this occurrence, the moon casts a shadow on Earth, offering observers a unique glimpse of the sun's corona and a twilight during daylight hours. Remarkably, half of ETCOG's 14-county region finds itself within the path of totality, positioning East Texas as a prime location for eclipse enthusiasts. This event on Monday, April 8 marks the first total eclipse visible to East Texas since 1878. To make sure you make the most of this rare occurrence, RTS has built an eclipse map that allows you to pinpoint your location within the path of totality. You can access the map to view your location by visiting go.etcog.org/2024eclipse . Beyond the eclipse map, RTS specialized in the creation of interactive solutions, ranging from customized apps to digital maps, and prints. These services are offered to city, county, and partners, showcasing ETCOG's commitment to solving local solutions and a low cost. For more local information → www.visittyler.com/solar-eclipse
    10 people standing in front of a bus posing for a photo.
    By East Texas Council of Governments 27 Feb, 2024
    The East Texas Council of Governments' rural transit system, GoBus , is proud to be a recipient of the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) annual AdWheel awards, which recognize excellence in marketing and outreach efforts by transit providers nationwide. The APTA AdWheel Awards fosters creativity and innovation within the public transportation industry, highlighting best marketing practices that contribute to the betterment of public transportation. The selection process involves evaluations by industry experts for creativity, impact, community engagement, and overall effectiveness. “I am proud of our Communications, Human Resources, and Transportation teams for collaborating effectively to address an ongoing staffing need within our agency. To receive national recognition for these efforts means a lot to me and all of us here at ETCOG!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. ETCOG received the award in the Special Event subcategory for the Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development. The award acknowledges team effort in hosting a one-day hiring fair dedicated to GoBus Operator positions. The event featured comprehensive activities, including on-site interviews, video highlights, and bus tours, providing prospective candidates with a glimpse of transit operations and a seamless hiring process for human resources. This recognition celebrates our commitment to workforce development and highlights the success of ETCOG’s strategic marketing and communication initiatives in attracting top talent. "We are honored to receive this prestigious APTA award,” said ETCOG Communications Director Lindsay Vanderbilt.” This recognition is a reflection of the dedication and creativity of our team and the collaboration across our agency to solve transportation hiring challenges.” A member of the ETCOG communications team joined other award recipients and marketing experts to share details on their award-winning campaigns and projects at the APTA Marketing Workshop held February 12-14, 2043, in New Orleans, Louisiana. APTA is a nonprofit international association of over 1,500 public and private sector member organizations and is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail.
    More News

    OUR REGION

    Councils of Governments (COGs) are voluntary associations of local governments formed under Texas law. The East Texas Council of Governments serves fourteen counties in the East Texas region.

    Centrally located within the United States, East Texas is easily accessible by air, rail and road. Our region has top-notch education and workforce training institutes. And you just will not find anywhere else with the combination of rolling hills, piney woods and vast, clear lakes that comprise the largely undeveloped East Texas landscape. 

    OPEN MEETINGS


    Our meetings are open to the public. Upcoming meetings are posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance.

    MEETINGS

    PROCUREMENTS


    We seek quotes, bids, and proposals on an as needed basis. See what procurement opportunities we have available here.

    PROCUREMENTS

    JOB OPPORTUNITIES


    Interested in joining the ETCOG team?
    See what job opportunities are currently available.

    JOBS


    OPEN MEETINGS


    Our meetings are open to the public.

    Upcoming meetings are posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance.


    MEETINGS

    FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY



    ETCOG discloses the financial health of the organization in our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. We provide this information in order to ensure transparency in all financial matters.



    REPORTS


    PROCUREMENTS



    We seek quotes, bids, and proposals on an as needed basis. See what procurement opportunities we have available here.



    PROCUREMENTS

    WHAT OUR MEMBERS THINK

    JUDGE BILL STOUDT

    Gregg County

    East Texas Council of Governments represents a collective initiative by member counties to make our Region of the State a better place to live and raise a family.

    Judge AJ Mason

    JUDGE AJ MASON

    Camp County

    The many programs administered by ETCOG touch the lives of every citizen in our 14-county region. We are fortunate to have this organization that constantly strives to have a positive impact on East Texas. The Leadership and Staff at ETCOG are second to none and East Texas is a better place because of it.

    COUNCILMAN BOB TARDIFF

    City of Lindale

    I am very honored to have been elected as Board Chairman for

    an organization consisting of so many outstanding community

    leaders. I continue to enjoy working with each of them and the ETCOG staff as we collectively

    address the many shared concerns of our communities. 

    Share by: