Economic Development News and Upcoming Grant Opportunities
East Texas Economic Development District • June 22, 2021
This blog highlights some Economic Development District news, upcoming grants, and funding opportunities that ETEDD staff can help you tap into.
Broadband Planning Initiative
The Economic Development District (ETEDD) team is proud to share that we are well on our way to developing 42-70 broadband projects in East Texas. With the help of our counties, EDCs, cities, and broadband providers, we have completed the mapping work in 12 of our 14 counties. We are already working on engineering and budgets for five identified projects in Wood County, have identified up to five projects in each of six more counties, and have completed all of our initial project identification meetings in all but one county. This work is a critical component of broadband development in East Texas as broadband grant opportunities are already available. We will need engineered and budgeted projects to be eligible for those grant dollars.
The ETEDD would like to recognize Wood County and the Wood County EDC for their efforts to bring five potential areas needing broadband development. They are well on their way to having grant applications in by the end of the summer.
New Board Members
The ETEDD is proud to announce that it has three new board members. Rush Harris of the Marshall EDC, James Hubbard of the Jacksonville EDC, and Jana Russell of the Kilgore EDC have all joined the board of the Economic Development District. With an entirely new staff and some new board members joining the fray, we are excited for the future of the Economic Development District and the value that we can bring to East Texas Cities, EDCs, and rural areas.
Our Team
Chuck Vanderbilt
Community & Economic Development Manager
Lisa Smith
Economic Development Specialist
Lynda David
Economic Development Specialist
We would like to hear from you about projects that you are working on in your area or ideas about how the ETEDD can better serve the region; please do not hesitate to reach out to Lynda – 903.218-6457 or Lynda.David@ETCOG.org.
As highlighted in the past, the ETEDD can help you find funding opportunities for City, EDC, or County initiatives, small businesses moving to the region, and non-profit industries. Below are some funding opportunities that are currently open or will be opening soon. Please take a look and reach out to us if you have a project and are looking for grant or loan funding sources.
More News
On Wednesday, November 5, Workforce Solutions East Texas hosted the region’s largest hiring event of the year at the Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview, as part of the Texas Workforce Commission’s 14th annual Hiring Red, White & You! statewide initiative. The event honored veterans with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m., followed by a job fair from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. open to the public. More than 65 employers participated, offering opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and other job seekers. Among the exhibitors, ETCOG hosted a booth to recruit new drivers for the GoBus public transit program. “East Texas is blessed to have so many vets to call our neighbors,” said Doug Shryock, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), Executive Director of Workforce Solutions East Texas. “Knowledge, skills, and abilities—hard-won across the country and around the world—make our communities stronger and more vibrant. Our employers need these valuable resources.” This year’s event was part of a statewide effort to support veterans in their transition to civilian careers. Since its launch in 2012, Hiring Red, White & You! has connected over 153,000 job seekers, including 52,000 veterans, with more than 26,000 employers across Texas. “ It’s important that we continue to serve those who served, and do so with priority, resources, and commitment,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “Hiring Red, White & You! events make a difference in the lives of veterans across Texas.” Event Highlights: Total job seekers served: 438 Employers represented: 69 Workforce Solutions East Texas and ETCOG thank all participants, employers, and partners who made this event a success. Together, we continue to build a stronger workforce and honor the contributions of our veterans.
ETCOG has received a 2025 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for its efforts in building Veteran-Friendly Communities in East Texas. The Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program launched in 2024 as a collaborative effort between ETCOG, the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), the University of Texas at Tyler (UTT), and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). This program formally recognizes communities that show strong, lasting support for military veterans through policies, services, and community involvement. It requires each participating city or county to provide a comprehensive community profile, develop a plan focused on veterans, and commit to an annual self-assessment to maintain the designation. Tyler/Smith County and Quitman/Wood County were the first to receive the designation and have become a model for supporting veterans in areas such as housing, employment, healthcare, and education. Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through innovative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies. This year’s cohort included 90 impactful projects led by 79 organizations across 24 states. These award-winning efforts were recognized during NADO’s 2025 Annual Training Conference, held this past October in Salt Lake City, Utah. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at www.nado.org/2025impactawards/ . “The Impact Awards are an annual reminder of the creativity and commitment that regional development organizations bring to their communities,” said 2024-2025 NADO President Rick Hunsaker, Executive Director of the Region XII Council of Governments in Iowa. “This year’s awardees show how local and regional partnerships, driven by vision and collaboration, can lead to lasting positive change across our country.” “We’re proud to be recognized by NADO for a program that recognizes the men and women who lay their lives on the line to keep us free!” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “In East Texas, we believe in taking care of our veterans—not just with words, but with our actions. The Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program demonstrates that when communities come together with a clear purpose, we can build something that truly makes a difference. We hope this program becomes a blueprint for how regions can support and encourage those who served all of us.” The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.
Communities across East Texas are invited to apply for ETCOG’s 2025 Veteran-Friendly Community Designation. The program highlights local cities and counties that make an exceptional effort to honor and assist veterans and their families. In its first year, two East Texas communities, Quitman/Wood County and Tyler/Smith County, earned the designation. The initiative has already drawn national attention, earning ETCOG the Achievement Award from the National Association of Regional Councils and the Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations. “Communities that invest in their veterans strengthen the entire region,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “This designation shows a shared commitment to welcoming service members home and helping them thrive.” Applications are open through Thursday, December 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ETCOG staff are available to help with the process, and all eligible cities are encouraged to apply. For details and application materials, visit www.etcog.org/veteran-friendly-community .
In September, Whitehouse Mayor and ETCOG Board Chairman, James Wansley, took the Oath of Office to serve as vice president of the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) Board, the statewide association of regional councils, whose members are focused on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. Wansley serves on the board as a representative of ETCOG. The TARC Board elected Mayor Wansley to serve as its vice president for 2025-2026 during its annual Board of Directors meeting held in Austin last month. "It is my honor to represent ETCOG on the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) board," said Wansley. "Each of TARC's 24-member Councils of Governments operates independently. During our TARC sessions, we come together to explore what's new, what works, and what needs to be improved. As vice-president of the TARC board, I look forward to learning more about successful processes and programs from other Councils of Governments and how they might help ETCOG fill service and funding gaps in our region." Mayor Wansley took office as Whitehouse Mayor in 2020 and has served as a member of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2022. He became Chairman of the ETCOG Board and Executive Committee Chairman on October 1, 2025. “Mayor Wansley is always willing to serve wherever he can, and wherever he serves, he makes a difference!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “In his new role as TARC Vice President, I am absolutely certain he will be an effective ambassador for identifying and implementing regional solutions to the challenges we face, both in East Texas and throughout the State!”
Empty buildings and unused lots can weigh a community down, but they also hold potential. ETCOG’s Brownfield Site Reuse & Revitalization Program offers funding through a $1 million EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant to help East Texas communities turn those properties into productive spaces again. What is a Brownfield? Brownfield – 1. real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. 2. abandoned or underutilized property that is not being redeveloped because of fears that it may be contaminated with hazardous substances. The grant covers environmental site assessments, cleanup and reuse planning, and surveys for regulated building materials—all at no cost to cities, counties, or property owners. Whether you’re envisioning new housing, business development, or community gathering places, this program can help bring those ideas to life. Funding is available through September 2027, and ETCOG staff are available to guide applicants every step of the way. To nominate a property or learn more, visit www.etcog.org/brownfields-program .
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) announces the opening of a 15-day public comment period for the State of Texas Draft 2025 Consolidated Plan Annual Performance Report (CAPER): Reporting on Program Year 2024
In September, Whitehouse Mayor and ETCOG Board Chairman, James Wansley, took the Oath of Office to serve as vice president of the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) Board, the statewide association of regional councils, whose members are focused on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. Wansley serves on the board as a representative of ETCOG. The TARC Board elected Mayor Wansley to serve as its vice president for 2025-2026 during its annual Board of Directors meeting held in Austin last month. "It is my honor to represent ETCOG on the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) board," said Wansley. "Each of TARC's 24-member Councils of Governments operates independently. During our TARC sessions, we come together to explore what's new, what works, and what needs to be improved. As vice-president of the TARC board, I look forward to learning more about successful processes and programs from other Councils of Governments and how they might help ETCOG fill service and funding gaps in our region." Mayor Wansley took office as Whitehouse Mayor in 2020 and has served as a member of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2022. He became Chairman of the ETCOG Board and Executive Committee Chairman on October 1, 2025. “Mayor Wansley is always willing to serve wherever he can, and wherever he serves, he makes a difference!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “In his new role as TARC Vice President, I am absolutely certain he will be an effective ambassador for identifying and implementing regional solutions to the challenges we face, both in East Texas and throughout the State!” Wansley will be joined on the TARC Executive Committee by City of Waco Mayor Jim Holmes, as president, San Augustine County Judge Jeff Boyd as president-elect, City of Caldwell Mayor Pro-Tem Kavon Novak as immediate past president, and Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments, Eric Bridges, as the Executive Directors’ Council Chair. In addition to its annual Board meeting, the association held training throughout the week for elected officials, executive directors, and program staff representing the councils of governments across the state. About TARC The Texas Association of Regional Councils is the statewide association of regional councils whose members focus on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. The 24 regional councils, also known as councils of governments (COGs), are comprised of city, county, and special district members working together to implement cost-effective, results-oriented strategies that address statewide and local needs on a regional scale. www.txregionalcouncil.org
Whether you're a board member, elected official, community partner, or simply curious about how regional collaboration works—this workshop is for you. ETCOG 101 is a great chance to learn how we serve as the bridge between federal, state, and local governments. From job training and transportation to emergency communications and aging services, we’re here to support what makes East Texas strong. Join us to: Understand our mission and regional initiatives. Explore how ETCOG contributes to shaping the future of East Texas. Connect with fellow partners and ETCOG leadership. Workshops will be held in person at ETCOG's main office located at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, TX. Each workshop will cover the same material, which includes a general overview of all ETCOG programs. Workshop Dates - Click to Register! Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM (completed) Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM (completed) Thursday, November 13, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the grand opening of its new GoBus Maintenance Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 PM. The celebration will take place at the new facility, located directly behind ETCOG’s headquarters at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, and the public is invited to attend. This new $3.3 million facility, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation, represents a major step forward for the GoBus program. With two work bays, a dedicated wash bay, training rooms, and expanded fleet parking, the facility will serve as the home base for both GoBus administrative and maintenance teams. “This facility allows us to take a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and safety,” said Vince Huerta, ETCOG Transportation Director. “Having the ability to complete repairs in-house means we can get vehicles back on the road faster and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services.” The GoBus program provides public transit service across ETCOG’s 14-county region. By investing in in-house maintenance, ETCOG will be able to improve efficiency, conduct more thorough inspections, and reduce repair turnaround times—all while keeping service reliable for East Texas riders. Community members, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to join ETCOG staff for the ribbon-cutting and facility tour. The event not only celebrates the opening of a new building but also marks an investment in the future of regional transit and the people who rely on it every day.