Texas Department of Agriculture Policy & Grant Tool Updates

Nominations are Due by Tuesday, February 10, 2026

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.

East Texas public agencies, nonprofits, schools, and federally recognized tribes will soon have the chance to apply for FY 2027 grant funding through the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office. The application window for Criminal Justice programs opens Monday, December 15, 2025, and closes Thursday, February 12, 2026.  ETCOG invites new and returning applicants from our fourteen-county region to attend free grant workshops hosted by our Public Safety team. Grant funding will be available for the following Criminal Justice programs: General Victim Assistance Direct Services Program (VOCA) Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA) Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (JJ/TP) Criminal Justice Program (JAG) Weekly workshops for each grant category will be held online from December 20 through January 20, 2026. Participation is required for all applicants. To join a Criminal Justice grant workshop, visit www.pineywoods911.com/criminal-justice . Sessions are held on Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 11:15 AM on these dates: December 30, 2025 January 6, 2026 January 13, 2026 January 20, 2026 “The goal is to improve public safety, support victims of crime, and help jurisdictions address gaps in the region with funding that encourages practical solutions,” said ETCOG Public Safety Director Stephanie Heffner. “We guide applicants on what to include in their proposals and what they need to track once funding is awarded, so we can keep bringing strong public safety projects to East Texas.” At this time, funding for Homeland Security grant projects is paused. ETCOG will announce workshops to apply for the State Homeland Security Program and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities grants once they open.

ETCOG announces that $3.1 million in grants from the Office of the Governor's (OOG) Public Safety Office have been awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations. These funds are aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting victims of crime. The program’s mission is to strengthen Texas communities by supporting initiatives that help victims recover and feel secure while also preventing crime through programs that: Prevent juvenile delinquency and support truancy prevention Provide services to victims of crime and address violence against women Support law enforcement and improve the criminal justice system Prevent child sex trafficking, bring justice to its perpetrators, and restore victims ETCOG's Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually, and applications submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local subject-matter experts from across the region. The following Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, and Juvenile Assistance grants totaling $3,136,019.36 have been approved by the OOG for funding in East Texas: Victims of Crime Act Funds - $2,528,962.18 The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to providing direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and navigate the justice system.

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.