ETCOG’s Rural Transportation Planning Organization Announces Major Development In I-20 Corridor Intercity Passenger Rail Service

East Texas Council of Governments • December 19, 2023
a group of men standing in front of a east texas council of governments podium

Pictured left to right: RTPO members Wood County Judge Kevin White, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt, Harrison County Judge Chad Sims, Chairman Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur, former Harrison County Judge Richard Anderson, and Smith County Judge Neal Franklin 

ETCOG’s Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) hosted a press conference today partnered with the City of Longview to reveal that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has officially designated the I-20 Corridor Intercity Passenger Rail Service as one of the selected corridors for the FRA’s FY22 Corridor Identification and Development Program (CIDP). This marks a significant milestone for the long-advocated rail connection between Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta, Georgia.


The I-20 Corridor long-distance passenger rail connection between Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta, Georgia—through Mineola, Longview, Marshall, Texas, and northern Louisiana—has been advocated for and collaborated on by a coalition of county judges, mayors, local, state, and federal elected officials, and grassroots advocates, for nearly 17 years.


The press conference was held at 2:00 p.m. at the Longview Depot/Multi-Modal Transportation Center, where Chairman of the RTPO, Judge Leward LaFleur, RTPO member and project advocate, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt, and project advocate, former Harrison County Judge Richard Anderson, provided details on this accomplishment. 


“This Corridor grant designation by the FRA, connecting Dallas/Fort Worth through East Texas to Meridian, Mississippi, is a significant step forward for the full I-20 long-distance rail route that is envisioned between Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta, Georgia, and connecting with the East Coast and New York City,” said Chairman, Judge Leward LaFleur, “East Texas is the perfect route for this project, allowing the development of new services to align on existing infrastructure.”


"This is outstanding news for our region and all communities along the I-20 Corridor. The east-west connection across our southern region will bring significant benefits to both urban and rural areas. We thank all who have dedicated themselves to reaching this important milestone," said Judge Bill Stoudt. “We also want to thank Amtrak, as always, for their very valued and continued partnership and collaboration for our Amtrak Served Communities in East Texas, as well as communities throughout Amtrak's National Network. We look forward to the continued collaborative efforts going forward.”


The I-20 Corridor Intercity Passenger Rail Service is set to serve various cities in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. To seek funding for this effort, an application was submitted by the Southern Rail Commission, which was successfully awarded $500,000 for Step 1 of the program.


A recent press release from Congressman Nathaniel Moran also emphasized the importance of the investment, stating, “Improving East Texas’ infrastructure and connecting the First District to metropolitan areas along I-20 is an essential effort for ensuring long-term growth and prosperity. This investment will help better position Mineola, Longview, and Marshall for future economic opportunities and growth. I have seen firsthand the positive effects of investing in our railroads, and I will continue to work with our local leaders to advocate for programs that better our infrastructure and strengthen our economy.”


The I-20 Corridor project is classified under the FRA’s New Conventional Rail category, operating at speeds of up to 79-125 mph, primarily on existing rail alignments shared with other railroad operations.


Funding for the FRA’s Corridor ID program was allocated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The IIJA allocated $66 billion for rail, including $16 billion for long-distance passenger rail routes, such as the I-20 Corridor.


"This designation by FRA is a significant step and puts the I-20 Corridor long-distance passenger rail project in line for the next phases of substantial funding to move toward implementation of service. We thank all governmental agencies, federal, state, and local elected officials, grassroots advocates, and other stakeholders who worked together for many years to make this important milestone possible,” commented Judge Richard Anderson.



About the RTPO

The East Texas Rural Transportation Planning Organization includes representation of judges from 14 counties, mayors from the City of Longview and Tyler, and TxDOT engineers for the region. The Board develops strategic plans and strategies for ETCOG and plans for regional transportation projects. Former Harrison County Judge Richard Anderson and Judge Stoudt played a crucial role in the establishment of the RTPO in 2009 in collaboration with ETCOG. In 2007, a coalition of County Judges and officials from the 14-county ETCOG region sought support for the I-20 Corridor passenger rail project. They reached out to the North Central Texas Council of Governments, representing the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, and also engaged elected officials and stakeholders in northern Louisiana through ETCOG and the Corridor Council. Joint Memoranda of Understanding was signed in 2007, 2008, and 2009 by ETCOG, NCTCOG, Northwest Louisiana COG, and North Delta COG, endorsing the I-20 Corridor route through Mineola, Longview, Marshall, and northern Louisiana.


About I-20 Corridor Council

The I-20 Corridor Council was formed to re-establish passenger rail service along the Interstate 20 Corridor, connecting Fort Worth, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, through northeast Texas, northern Louisiana, and Central Mississippi, also connecting to Washington, D.C., and New York City. The efforts in support of this route commenced in 2004 and gained momentum in 2007 with the assistance of renewed grassroots volunteer efforts and federal grant funding. Originally designated as the East Texas Corridor Council and then the Ark-La-Tex Corridor Council, as grassroots efforts built and a multi-state coalition grew to include Louisiana, Mississippi, and other stakeholders along the route, the name was changed to the I-20 Corridor Council. Learn more at www.i-20corridorcouncil.com.


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Texas Veterans Commission Awards ETCOG $250K for Veteran Transport with GoBus

By East Texas Council of Governments • June 4, 2025
Recently, the Texas Veterans Commission's (TVC) Fund for Veterans' Assistance (FVA) announced its largest funding in the 16-year history of FVA programs, with 213 grants totaling $46,315,000 to provide services to an estimated 40,000 veterans. ETCOG is proud to be one of the grant recipients selected with $250,000 of those funds to provide GoBus transportation services for veterans in our 14-county service region. "It is an honor to receive this funding award from the Texas Veterans Commission and Chair Koerner, which allows us to continue our mission to support all East Texas veterans," said Vince Huerta, GoBus Director. "We are dedicated to growing the program and look forward to assisting more veterans this year." With the grant, our public transit system, GoBus, will fund trips to and from medical, dental, and mental health appointments, as well as trips for basic needs such as grocery stores, community meetings, voting, court appearances, and tax offices. These trips are available to veterans, veteran spouses and dependents, survivor spouses, and active military personnel. The grant is in partnership with over $46.3 million in grants for veterans, Governor Abbott announced on May 20 . “Texas is forever indebted to the brave men and women who answered the call to serve in our nation's military,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas is home to over 1.5 million veterans—more than any other state. This has shaped our mission to provide wide-ranging services for veterans and their families. With over $46,315,000 in state grants, Texas will help thousands of veterans and their families access vital support and resources needed to thrive in our great state. Texas will always support our veterans and honor their sacrifices to our state and our nation.” Find out about all veteran transport services GoBus offers by visiting www.gobustransit.com/govet .
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ETCOG Seeks Nominations for Brownfield Site Assessments in East Texas

By East Texas Council of Governments • June 2, 2025
ETCOG is calling on cities and communities across the region to nominate potential Brownfield sites for assessment and revitalization as part of a new initiative to support sustainable development and environmental stewardship. A Brownfield is any property, typically abandoned, underused, or industrial, that may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Through ETCOG’s Brownfield Assessment Program, local governments and property owners may receive free environmental assessments to determine site conditions and open the door to redevelopment opportunities. ETCOG was awarded a U.S. EPA Brownfield Coalition Assessment Grant in 2023, so our region could access up to $1 million in funding to: Develop an inventory of Brownfield sites Conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) Evaluate sites impacted by hazardous substances or petroleum Perform site investigations, asbestos and lead-based paint surveys Plan for cleanup and reuse strategies Benefits of Brownfield Redevelopment Include: Increased property values Enhanced public health and environmental safety New job creation and business development Reuse of existing infrastructure Elimination of blight and community eyesores Participation is completely voluntary, and all eligible activities could be covered at no cost to property owners. Communities are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to address challenging properties and bring new life to underutilized areas. Submit Your Site Nomination by using the form linked below. If you know of a site in your city that may be a candidate for Brownfield revitalization , please contact: Bridget Booty, Economic Development Specialist (903) 218-6421 Bridget.Booty@etcog.org

TxCDBG Testimonial: Kilgore’s Strategic Grant Wins Fast-Track Downtown Improvements

By City of Kilgore • June 2, 2025
The City of Kilgore recently secured two Community Development Block Grants (TxCDBG) in the same round—thanks to strategic timing, guidance from local consultants, and support from the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG). One of these grants is helping fast-track long-needed sidewalk improvements in the city’s entertainment district, part of an ongoing downtown revitalization effort. “We were primed to get the maximum amount of points,” said Clay Evers, Kilgore’s Public Works Director. “It made sense to apply for downtown revitalization funding to complete sidewalk improvements along the rest of the corridor, which otherwise would have taken years if the city had to fund it alone.” The area near the historic post office and the newly renovated Texan Theater has seen increased activity, and this grant helps the city keep pace. Previous streetscape improvements had brought upgrades close to Main Street, and this new funding allows that work to continue—connecting key areas of Kilgore’s growing downtown. At the time of the grant application, this project wasn’t even listed in the city’s near-term plans. “It wasn’t on the five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). In fact, it wasn’t even on the ten-year CIP,” said Evers. “This project was so far down the list that without this opportunity, we wouldn’t have touched it for a very long time.” The grant was made possible, in part, by insight from ETCOG and other grant administrators who informed the city that it was likely to score well in the 2022 application cycle. That foresight made all the difference. “The good thing is that ETCOG, along with other partners, generally has a good sense of how your project will score,” Evers noted. “Their guidance helps us pursue opportunities that are truly within reach.” He expressed gratitude for the collaboration and funding that will help transform downtown Kilgore even faster than expected. “We’re grateful to our local partners and the Texas Department of Agriculture for considering our project and deciding it was worth funding,” said Evers. “This is a great boon to our entertainment district—and it’s going to put us five to ten years ahead of where we would’ve been.”
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Important BEAD Deadline Approaching to Apply for Broadband Funding

By East Texas Council of Governments • May 15, 2025
ETCOG is partnering with Halff to assist counties in preparing applications for the upcoming Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding opportunity. Round 1 applications are due August 15.

Area Agency on Aging to Host Four Community Events Celebrating Older Americans Month

By East Texas Council of Governments • April 30, 2025
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the vital contributions of older adults in our communities. AAA will host four special events at senior and community centers across East Texas, each focused on the theme of “Flip the Script on Aging,” — encouraging a shift in how society views and talks about aging, prompting individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and embrace the opportunities that come with older age. “Older Americans Month is a powerful opportunity to honor the contributions of older adults and recognize the vital role they play in our communities,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “This year’s theme, Flip the Script on Aging, challenges us to move beyond outdated stereotypes and embrace the strength, wisdom, and resilience that come with age. We invite everyone to join us at our regional celebration events as we uplift the voices and experiences of older East Texans.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public, featuring food, fun, door prizes, and information on services available to East Texas seniors: May 7 at the Henderson Community Building, 302 Fair Park, Henderson | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM May 15 at First Methodist Church, 225 Lovers Ln, Athens | 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM May 16 at Jefferson Senior Center, 111 W. Broadway, Jefferson | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM May 21 at Harrison County AgriLife Extension Office, 2005 Warren Dr, Marshall | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM The AAA is the region's leader in advocating and providing various services, such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and support through the Ombudsman program for people in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Contact the AAA for questions about the events by calling (903) 218-6500.
A large building with a lot of windows and a tree in front of it.

GoBus Facility Nearing Completion

By East Texas Council of Governments • April 30, 2025
ETCOG is excited to share progress on the new GoBus Transportation Facility, which is nearing completion and expected to open this summer. This milestone marks a major step forward in supporting our growing fleet and providing more efficient, reliable transit services across our 14-county region.

ETCOG Explores Regional Employer Health Insurance Consortium Following Strong Interest

By East Texas Council of Governments • April 2, 2025
ETCOG is always looking for ways to add value for our members. In response to growing interest in collaborative purchasing of employee benefits, we’ve partnered with Gallagher to assess the feasibility of a multiple-employer benefits pool for ETCOG members. So far, we’ve hosted two virtual discussions, with several cities and counties participating to learn more about this opportunity. These meetings have generated strong interest from local governments looking for cost-effective and sustainable employee benefits solutions. If your agency is interested, it’s not too late to join the conversation! ETCOG and Gallagher’s team of experts, who have extensive experience building and managing benefits pools across the U.S., are hosting additional virtual sessions to explore: What a benefits pool is The advantages of joining one Potential impacts on leadership and employees Key legislative considerations Steps and timeline for forming a consortium Eligible member governments include Cities, Counties, ISDs, and Special Districts. Don't miss this opportunity to explore cost-saving and efficiency-driven solutions! Upcoming Virtual Meetings: 📅 April 23rd, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📅 May 8th, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM 📅 June 26th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM To attend, click on the meeting date above you’d like to join to register.

April is Fair Housing Month: Know Your Rights

By East Texas Council of Governments • April 1, 2025
Everyone deserves equal access to housing opportunities. During Fair Housing Month, ETCOG joins the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in raising awareness about housing rights and protections under the Federal Housing Act and the Texas Fair Housing Act. These laws ensure that individuals can rent an apartment, buy a home, or obtain a mortgage free from discrimination based on: ✅ Race ✅ Religion ✅ National Origin ✅ Color ✅ Familial Status ✅ Disability ✅ Sex What to Do If You Experience Housing Discrimination If you believe you have been discriminated against, you have one year from the date of the incident to file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division. 📞 Call: 888-452-4778 🌐 Visit: tdhca.state.tx.us/fair-housing For concerns related to TDHCA-monitored properties, you can also submit a complaint: 📞 Call: 800-525-0657 🌐 Visit: tdhca.state.tx.us/complaint.htm By knowing your rights and taking action against housing discrimination, we can work together to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities for all Texans!

ETCOG to Host Hiring Event for GoBus Public Transit Positions on March 27

By East Texas Council of Governments • March 25, 2025
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) and GoBus will host a Hiring Event for public transit driver positions on Thursday, March 27. GoBus is ETCOG's rural, demand-response public transit system, with approximately 75 vehicles, making around 500 trips a day, five days a week, throughout 14 counties in East Texas. We are working with Compunnel Staffing to hire local and regional public transit drivers for full-time and part-time positions. The hiring event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Workforce Solutions East Texas, located at 4100 Troup Highway, Tyler, TX 75703. "We’re excited to return to Tyler for this event, which continues to be a great success year after year. We truly appreciate our partnership with Workforce Solutions East Texas for hosting and supporting this job fair. It’s a perfect opportunity for job seekers to connect with our GoBus team, learn more about our services, ask questions, and even be considered for an on-site interview," said ETCOG Assistant Executive Director Brandy Brannon.  "GoBus is integral to the region and its communities, providing connectivity, fostering economic activity, and ensuring safe, reliable, and friendly transportation services. GoBus staff are dedicated and caring individuals representing the core of East Texans. In seeking new team members, we hope to present a culture that prioritizes the community and those who work to aid its citizens," said ETCOG's Director of Transportation, Vince Huerta. "We welcome new individuals with support through an open door policy, competitive pay, and plenty of growth opportunities. We are excited to build upon the amazing GoBus family!” Positions are available to serve in Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. ETCOG is seeking applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of two years of professional driving and customer service experience. A CDL is preferred but not required.
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