ETCOG Announces Regional Award Recipients for Exemplary Contributions to East Texas

East Texas Council of Governments • March 24, 2023
A group of people standing next to each other holding awards.

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) honored regional citizens who exemplify excellence in performance, innovation, and contributions to the community at its 103rd Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting last week at Bear Creek Smokehouse in Marshall, Texas. Award criteria and recipient information are as follows:


REGIONAL FIRST RESPONDER AWARDS

ETCOG conferred two Regional First Responder Awards, recognizing first responders who have rendered extraordinary service, putting their lives on the line for our safety while performing their duties. Tyler Stroschein with Longview Police Department, and Darren Renshaw with Emory Volunteer Fire Department, and Reserve Deputy for Rains County Sherriff Department were this year's award recipients.


Officer Tyler Stroschein was selected for the award for an extraordinary act of service in which his training and experience came to aid. On October 16, 2022, Officer Stroschein responded to a shooting where an individual accidentally shot himself in the leg, causing severe damage to his femoral artery. Officer Stroschein acted quickly and applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, which allowed the subject to receive medical attention. Thanks to Officer Stroschein's timely intervention, the subject was able to keep his leg, regain full motion, and walk again.


Darren Renshaw was selected for the award for his outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to his community. In his award nomination, Rains County Commissioners Court expressed their admiration for Darren's selflessness and unwavering dedication to the betterment of the community. Darren has been a key figure in the Volunteer Fire Department and in his service as reserve Deputy for Rains County Sherriff's Department, having been on the scene for over half of the 1155 calls in the past two years. He has also played a significant role in recruiting and mentoring numerous individuals into the VFD. Despite his busy schedule, Darren always makes time for others, leading by example and inspiring others in their citizenship and servanthood. The Court called Darren one of the best role models in the community and thanked him for his tireless efforts in making the community a better place.


REGIONAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

ETCOG's Regional Citizen of the Year award is designed to honor a citizen of East Texas who has contributed to the well-being of the East Texas region. The City of Kilgore's Mayor, Ronnie Spradlin, III, and Dr. Beverly Waddleton Johnson of Quitman were honored with the awards.


Mayor Spradlin, a lifetime resident of Kilgore, has been awarded this prestigious award for his unwavering commitment to education and community service. Mayor Spradlin's dedication to education is evident in his work mentoring and funding the dreams of many students, as well as supporting KISD and the Rangerette organization. His community involvement spans several decades, co-founding organizations such as the Kilgore Historic Preservation Foundation, Kilgore Boys and Girls Club, and the Community Development Corporation and helping to establish the Texas Shakespeare Festival and Hearts Anonymous. His contributions to the community include a quarter of a million dollars to The Lazy S Splash Pad in Kilgore to honor his late parents, donating land for the Kilgore Dog Park, and serving on the city council from 2007 to 2010 and as Mayor since 2010.


Dr. Beverly Waddleton Johnson has dedicated over 40 years of service to her community, making significant contributions to the field of medicine and community involvement in East Texas. She was the first Black female physician in Wood County, where she served as Clinic Medical Director and Cardiac Rehab Medical Director at UT Health East Texas. Dr. Waddleton's unwavering commitment to education and medical care is reflected in her various board memberships, including the Tyler Junior College Wesley House and the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry for the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her contributions to the medical field have been recognized through numerous accolades, including being chosen as one of the 50 Heroes for Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2020. Dr. Waddleton is a member of several community organizations, including the Wood County Economic Development Health Committee, Quitman Chamber of Commerce, Quitman First United Methodist Church, and the Quitman Rotary Club. After more than 40 years of selfless service to her community, Dr. Waddleton now enjoys a well-deserved retirement.


REGIONAL CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The Regional Corporate Citizen of the Year award honors a corporate partner in East Texas that has contributed to the well-being of the East Texas Region. The ETCOG board conferred the award to the Northeast Texas Public Health for their unwavering commitment to public health. Every month, NET Health clinics see approximately 28,000 pregnant women, new mothers, new fathers, and children up to age five, ensuring healthy pregnancies, healthy babies, and healthy young children. The NET Health Regional Laboratory is also instrumental in ensuring public safety, performing regulatory milk analysis of dairies throughout northeast Texas, and testing municipal water supplies. "The organization has also played a significant role in protecting the community against emergencies such as weather-related events, bioterrorism, and most recently, COVID-19," said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. "Their dedicated service during the pandemic has been especially noteworthy, with George Roberts and his staff doing everything possible to educate, encourage, and vaccinate vulnerable East Texans against COVID-19. They are the rock stars of public health, addressing nearly every major threat to public health in East Texas, including West Nile, H1N1, Tuberculosis, Zika, Ebola, and Whooping Cough, and more."

 

REGIONAL STATESMANSHIP AWARD

Former Anderson County Judge Robert Johnston has been awarded this year's Regional Statesmanship Award for his valuable and dedicated service to regional cooperation. Since taking office in 2011, Judge Johnston has served Anderson County, ETCOG, the East Texas Region, and the State of Texas in a variety of capacities. He has been a member of the ETCOG Board and Executive Committee since his tenure began and became Chairman in 2015. In 2022, Judge Johnston was elected the first ETCOG delegate to serve as President of the Texas Association of Regional Councils Board. This statewide association of regional councils focuses on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. "Judge Johnston's leadership has been marked by several characteristics that make him an outstanding public servant. He loves the region he serves, always does what he believes is right, and consistently supports our agency. He is a humble, dedicated public servant who always places the needs of others before his own," said Cleveland. 


REGIONAL COMMITTEE SERVICE AWARD

Kristy Swan Range serves on the ETCOG EasTexConnects transportation committee. Through her exemplary service, she was chosen for the Regional Committee Service Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a sustained, dedicated commitment to ETCOG efforts and activities. Kristy is an exceptional public transportation advocate and passenger who has made outstanding contributions to the development of East Texas and the well-being of its residents. Kristy's passion for educating the public on their transportation options is unmatched, and she has worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to public transit. She serves as the Regional Mobility Manager for East Texas and is actively involved in several committees, including the East Texas Veterans Community Council, EasTexConnects Regional Transportation Committee, Smith Co Passenger Advisory Committee, and Smith Co Transportation Advisory Committee.

 

Photos of the event are available on the ETCOG Facebook page, www.facebook.com/EastTexasCOG.

Narrow stream flowing through tall green grass in a sunny field

Tips from TDA to Prepare for Upcoming 2027 TxCDBG Applications

By Texas Department of Agriculture • July 13, 2026
TDA is pleased to see interest from many communities in the upcoming 2027 Texas Community Development Block Grant applications. No action is required for communities at this time; however, here are several items that may be useful as you look forward to the release of grant applications this fall: Save the Date for your local governing body resolution. All TxCDBG grant applications require a resolution adopted by the local governing body to authorize submittal of the application, commit to adhere to the requirements of the TxCDBG program, and commit matching funds, if applicable. TDA recommends marking your calendar to complete this task at your October 2026 meeting. The required resolution language will be provided in the Application Guide, to be released in September 2026. Procure a grant administrator. Many Grant Recipients hire a consultant to be responsible for grant administration and reporting requirements. If your community would like to have a grant administrator also assist in preparation of the grant application, the services contract must be competitively procured prior to any participation by the firm in the application process. TDA has compiled a user-friendly guide to procuring a grant administrator according to TxCDBG policies: Solicitation and Contract Documents for Administration Services* Contracts The Unified Scoring Committee will determine at its meeting in September whether to offer an annual or biennial cycle for the Community Development Fund – the sample documents in this guide account for both options. A similar guide for engineering procurement will be made available later this fall. No engineering work is required for the first phase of the application process. Attend your regional meeting to establish Project Priorities (or review the adopted priorities once posted). Consider the projects important to your community in each of the Priority 1 categories, as well as other projects that are important to your community. ETCOG's regional meeting will be held Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 12 noon, at ETCOG headquarters TDA’s default priorities can be used as a reference for the available project categories; each region will identify its own priorities within this structure: 2027 Regional Project Priority Scoring Element - Default.pdf

ETCOG to Hold Public Hearing on TxCDBG Regional Project Priority Types August 6

By East Texas Council of Governments • July 13, 2026
ETCOG will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. during its Executive Committee meeting at 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, Texas. The purpose of the hearing is to gather public input on the Texas Community Development Block Grant ( TxCDBG ) Program Regional Project Priority Types for the East Texas region. As part of the standard TxCDBG process, each Council of Governments region in Texas is encouraged to identify the project types that best reflect regional needs and priorities. During the hearing, ETCOG’s Executive Committee will receive comments from local officials, stakeholders, and members of the public regarding which eligible project categories should be prioritized for East Texas. These priorities may include needs such as water and sewer infrastructure, street improvements, housing, and other eligible community development activities. Regional project priority types play an important role in the TxCDBG application process. The priorities adopted by ETCOG will be submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), which administers the TxCDBG program, for use in the upcoming funding cycle. Regional priorities account for a portion of the scoring used to evaluate grant applications. ETCOG encourages anyone with an interest in community development needs across East Texas to attend the hearing and provide input during the public comment period. 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant Announces Schedule of Grant Application Workshops

By Texas Parks and Wildlife • July 10, 2026
The CO-OP Grant team will host a series of Grant Application Workshops to cover all the elements needed for a competitive application. Offered both online and at sites around the state, the workshop will provide application support and assist potential applicants with an overview of the application process, grant program requirements and priorities, scoring criteria, budget planning and eligible grant expenses, and answer questions from applicants. Opportunities for in-person project consultation appointments with grant staff will also be made available at the site-based workshops. The CO-OP Grant will begin accepting project proposals August 3, 2026, through October 1, 2026, at 5 pm CST. Grant Awards will be announced March 1, 2027, and programs will take place over 18 months. Eligible projects should engage program participants in areas of conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental education and connect participants to TPWD sites, programs, and staff. Grant funding can support personnel, training, travel, food, fees, and supplies. There is no match requirement. This grant supports outdoor programs for populations that are under-served. The CO-OP grant does NOT fund any type of construction, trails, boat ramps, or vehicles. This is a reimbursement grant. REGISTER To attend at workshop, complete the online registration at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA5AD2DA1F5C16-64420560-tpwd#/ ONLINE WEBINAR Monday, July 20th 2 p.m.- 4 p.m Live (Recording will be available on/after 7/22)

TCEQ Launches Program to Reduce Emissions from Stationary Sources

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality • June 5, 2026
$16.5 Million in Grants Available

USDA is Now Accepting Applications for Rural Businesses and Community Development Projects

By USDA Rural Development • June 2, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it is making $27.7 million in grants available through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG). This program provides funding for business and community initiatives that promote economic growth and job creation. Eligible applicants can include rural cooperatives, state government agencies, towns, and communities, nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher learning, and federally recognized Tribes. Individuals and for-profit businesses or organizations are not eligible to apply. Applications will compete in two separate categories: Business opportunity grants: May be used for business support centers, technology-based economic development, leadership and entrepreneur training, feasibility studies, business plans, long-term strategic planning, and other eligible activities. Business enterprise grants: May be used for training and technical assistance, project planning, business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, and product or service improvements, buying or developing land, easements, or rights of way, including access streets and parking areas, constructing or renovating buildings, and buying machinery and equipment, capitalizing revolving loan funds, and supporting rural business incubators and community economic development and other eligible activities. Electronic applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. local time through Grants.gov on the due date. The Rural Business Development Grant Program has two different closing dates: June 15, 2026, only applies to Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) applications. June 30, 2026, applies to the remainder of the applicants. For more information on how to apply please visit on gov or contact your local USDA Rural Development office .

SBA Launches $1 Million Patriot Pitch Competition to Showcase America’s Entrepreneurs

May 19, 2026
Freedom 250 Event Celebrates Free Enterprise Through National Small Business Competition for $1 Million Cash 

Grant Opportunity for: Clean Land, Healthy Communities

By East Texas Council of Governments • April 30, 2026
Many of our communities have properties that are abandoned or underutilized because of suspected environmental contamination from past uses. These properties are commonly referred to as “Brownfields.” Redeveloping a brownfield site does more than change the look of a property; it strengthens the health, economy, and spirit of the whole community. Through ETCOG’s Brownfield Site Reuse & Revitalization Program, local governments and property owners can receive no-match funding to assess and plan for the safe reuse of vacant or underused sites. Projects can include environmental studies, market analyses, community engagement efforts, and much more, that set the stage for growth while protecting public health and the environment. Every successful project begins with identifying potential sites. If your community has a property that could be brought back to life, now is the time to act. Find details and a site nomination form at www.etcog.org/brownfields-program .
Sunset over a calm lake with clouds reflected in the water and a tree-lined shore

Application Period for Water Supply and Infrastructure Grants Now Open

By Texas Water Development Board • April 29, 2026
This is an announcement shared from Texas Water Development Board

ETCOG Awards Civic Marketplace to Expand Cooperative Purchasing for Rural Communities, Schools, and Local Districts

By Civic Marketplace • April 28, 2026
Today, the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announced the award of Civic Marketplace as the technology platform for COGWORKS, its cooperative purchasing arm. The partnership will leverage cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence to support regional purchasing for rural communities, school districts, and local governments across the East Texas region, state, and nationwide. For more than 50 years, ETCOG has supported East Texas through regional planning, coordination, and shared services. COGWORKS was established in response to member demand for dependable cost-control solutions that serve jurisdictions of all sizes through competitively awarded cooperative contracts. This collaboration strengthens COGWORKS by improving shared buying, administrative coordination, and visibility into contract activity, enabling members to operate more efficiently while meeting procurement requirements. “This partnership supports our responsibility to ensure rural communities, schools, and local districts can access purchasing programs that deliver measurable savings and efficiencies,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “COGWORKS allows participants to benefit from collective buying power and shared procurement expertise through a program they know and trust.” Civic Marketplace will partner with ETCOG to activate and operate COGWORKS on its digital platform, in order to expand participation and deliver measurable value to member agencies across East Texas. Through its purpose-built technology platform, proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) agentic, solutions, and hands-on program enablement, Civic Marketplace will support contract visibility, supplier onboarding, entity activation, and ongoing program analytics at no cost to member agencies. “This partnership demonstrates ETCOG's commitment to building a strong, sustainable cooperative purchasing ecosystem for East Texas,” said Al Hleileh, CEO and Co-Founder of Civic Marketplace. “Our goal is to help COGWORKS increase utilization and transparency of cooperative contracts, elevate local businesses, and deliver regional efficiency.” “Civic Marketplace was born in East Texas, with deep roots in the cities of Longview and Tyler,” added Ron Holifield, Co-Founder and President of Civic Marketplace. “Our partnership with COGWORKS is both a homecoming and a new wellspring for these communities, bringing together collaborative purchasing and cutting edge technology to help local government entities better serve their residents.” As COGWORKS continues to grow, ETCOG and Civic Marketplace will work together to expand contract offerings, support supplier participation, and provide members with the tools and information needed to use cooperative purchasing effectively. About Civic Marketplace Civic Marketplace is the AI procurement platform built for local governments and free for every SLED entity to use. By removing cost as a barrier, we make it easier for cities, counties, and school districts to modernize how they buy goods and services without adding strain to already tight budgets. Our platform connects government buyers to a network of pre-approved suppliers, ensuring every contract meets compliance and quality standards from the start. We're especially committed to expanding access for historically underutilized businesses, helping local governments support regional suppliers and strengthen the communities they serve. Procurement doesn't have to be slow, complicated, or expensive. Civic Marketplace is backed by venture investment and built to prove it.  Learn more at civicmarketplace.com
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