Workforce Solutions East Texas Expands Partnered Service Locations with Kilgore College and Texas Tech Satellite Campus

Workforce Solutions East Texas • November 13, 2020

Join the Open House and Kickoff Event!

Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) is pleased to announce a new Access Point Partner Locations established at the Kilgore College Student Support Center Lab opening on Wednesday, November 18, and the Texas Tech Jefferson Professional Education and Academic Advising Campus opening on Monday, November 16, 2020. Access Point locations are service locations where WSET has established partnerships with community organizations to set up a place for service access for job seekers to receive on-site assistance. These sites have a WSET resource area where job seekers can register for WorkInTexas.com, receive assistance with job searches, register for professional development workshops, and access resources during their staffed service hours.

KILGORE COLLEGE ACCESS POINT

The Kilgore College, Access Point location, is located at located in at 977 Ross Avenue in Kilgore and will be staffed every Wednesday from 9 AM to 2 PM. WSET invites the public to attend an open house on November 18 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Student Support Center Lab. To support social distancing, please come and go as you wish.

"Workforce Solutions East Texas is proud to partner with President Dr. Brenda Kays and Kilgore College as we continue to tailor our services footprint in the region,” said WSET Executive Director, Doug Shryock. “The Kilgore College/Workforce Services center will reach students and members of the public where they are, in Gregg County, Rusk County, and beyond. This is one more example of the productive relationship between Workforce Services and higher education as we groom our talented neighbors to meet and exceed the needs of today's and tomorrow's employers. We're here to support participants earning the degrees, credentials, and certificates industry demands, setting them on lifelong career trajectories. Our graduates will, in turn, show future employers why the smart choice is to call Kilgore home."

“We are extremely proud to partner with Workforce Solutions East Texas to provide this needed access point for our students and community members. It is a win-win for both Kilgore College and the city of Kilgore,” Kays said. “This is such a positive addition to the Kilgore campus, allowing easy access for those who are seeking to use their education to enter living-wage careers.”

TEXAS TECH ACCESS POINT

The Texas Tech Access Point location is located at 120 E. Austin Street, Jefferson, TX 75657 and will be staffed every second Wednesday from 10AM to 2 PM. WSET invites the public to join us for partnership kickoff on November 16, 2020 at 10 AM.

These are the fifth and sixth Access Point locations to open since December expanding service opportunities for job seekers. WSET also has partnered locations with Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, Rains County Library in Emory, the Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points, and St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler. Details on Access Point location service hours can be viewed at www.easttexasworkforce.org/locations.

About Workforce Solutions East Texas

It is the mission of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board to improve the quality of life in this area through economic development by providing a first-class workforce for present and future businesses. The Board works in partnership with chief elected officials of the region and is the primary source of local workforce policy. The Workforce Solutions East Texas Board is one of 28 local Workforce Solutions Boards located throughout the state. The Board serves Henderson, Van Zandt, Rains, Wood, Upshur, Camp, Marion, Harrison, Panola, Gregg, Rusk, Cherokee, Anderson, and Smith counties. The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) serves as the administrating agency of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board. www.easttexasworkforce.org

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By East Texas Council of Governments • July 7, 2025

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By East Texas Council of Governments • June 30, 2025

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By East Texas Council of Governments • June 30, 2025

Executive Director David Cleveland has named Luke Kimbrough as the new Regional Lending Manager for the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG). In this role, Kimbrough will oversee the day-to-day operations of the East Texas Regional Development Company’s (ETRDC) small business loan programs. He will work closely with the ETRDC Board, manage financial and administrative services, and ensure the program follows all state and federal guidelines. Kimbrough brings with them more than seven years of experience in banking and employee benefits. Before accepting this position, Kimbrough served as CEO of the Banking Center at Citizens Bank in Gladewater. His previous roles include Vice President at First National Bank of Hughes Springs in Liberty City, Benefits Consultant for Colonial Life in Longview, and Branch Manager for Regions Bank in Kilgore. Before his banking career, Mr. Kimbrough served for several years as the Director of Public Information and Regional Services at ETCOG. “It is a great pleasure for me to welcome Luke back to the ETCOG Family! His exceptional work in the banking community for many years position him for even greater success with our ETRDC Business Lending Programs. I am glad he is back and am even more excited to see the steady growth and expansion of one of our most important economic development programs that will undoubtedly occur under his leadership!” said Executive Director David Cleveland. “I am excited to come back to ETCOG and the East Texas Regional Development Company,” said Kimbrough. “Spending the last decade in banking, I have gained much more experience in financial analysis and commercial lending. There is a lot of work ahead to help the businesses and economy of East Texas.” The ETRDC is a nonprofit organization that is certified and regulated by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Its main purpose is to support local economic development by helping small businesses access long-term, fixed-rate financing. ETRDC offers financing through the SBA 504 Loan Program and Chapman Loan Program. About the ETRDC Since 1983, the East Texas Regional Development Company has provided small businesses in Texas with the financing they need to expand or even start their business. The East Texas Regional Development Company, or ETRDC, is a private, nonprofit organization formed to assist small businesses. The ETRDC is administered and housed within the East Texas Council of Governments. Find out more at www.etrdc.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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By East Texas Council of Governments • June 2, 2025

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