Workforce Solutions East Texas Service Location Changes
Workforce Solutions East Texas • January 31, 2020
Two Center Closures, New Partner Sites, Enhanced Mobile Workforce Center Travel Schedule

Workforce Solutions East Texas
(WSET) announces service location changes for Cherokee and Rusk County residents with the closure of its centers in Jacksonville and Henderson, as well as the addition of a new partner site with the Jacksonville College Library, and an enhanced Mobile Workforce Center travel schedule.
Workforce centers located in Jacksonville and Henderson closed at the end of December, which was approved by the WSET Board and confirmed by the Chief Elected Officials board. The centers were closed due to funding reductions and low visitor traffic. WSET is committed to continuing services in these areas and encourages new and existing customers to access services and assistance through other mediums, such as our new partner site, enhanced mobile workforce center travel schedule, centralized call center, and online services.
WSET has established partnerships with community organizations to set up Access Point locations for job seekers to receive assistance. The first Access Point Site is now open at the Jacksonville College Library, located at 105 B J Albritton Dr in Jacksonville. This site has a WSET resource area where job seekers can register for WorkInTexas.com, receive assistance with job search, resume writing, workshops and access to resources during the service hours of Monday – Thursday, 8 AM to 4 PM. New Access Point Sites are also planned to open in Henderson and Emory in the coming months.
“Our pledge is ‘Serving You Where You Are,’” said Doug Shryock, Executive Director for Workforce Solutions East Texas. “Workforce Solutions East Texas is committed to keeping up with the ever-changing needs and accessibility of our 14-county region customers, as well as being good stewards of the funding we are trusted with. While yes, some of our office doors may close, know that we have established service methods in order to continue meeting client needs. We’re not just serving customers in buildings anymore.”
The Workforce Central Call Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. New and existing customers can speak directly to a caseworker by calling 1-844-ETWORKS (389-6757). Nearly all the services handled by a staff member in center locations are available over the phone, making access convenient for our clients.
WSET has also expanded its footprint in recent years to include designated off-site locations through Mobile Workforce Centers. Three mobile centers currently navigate through the region, to bring staff-assisted services and computer job-search capability directly to areas in the region without a workforce center. The Mobile Workforce Centers are equipped with multiple computers, a meeting and training area and flat-screen televisions for presentations of community announcements, job postings and advertisements by firms looking for workers. A travel schedule for our Mobile Workforce Centers can be viewed at www.easttexasworkforce.org/locations. With the closure of the centers in Jacksonville and Henderson, The Mobile Workforce Center travel schedule has been enhanced to include more scheduled stops in the affected communities.
Job seekers may also visit the WSET website, www.easttexasworkforce.org, which offers an online pre-application clients can fill out to get the process started on applying for services. WSET will continue to maintain all services available in its five existing centers located in Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler. For more information, contact Doug Shryock at (903) 218-6425 or the WSET Centers Director, Mary Ann Rojas at (903) 561.8131.

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 Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Thursday, November 13, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

On Tuesday, July 29, ETCOG will host Rebuilding the Fort for a Strategic Listening Session from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event will be held at ETCOG offices located at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, with lunch provided courtesy of BBKLAW.COM . This session will introduce Rebuilding the Fort’s veteran-led model for community revitalization, focused on: Activating affordable housing Advancing workforce development Driving economic transformation in underutilized neighborhoods Their team has successfully implemented this approach in cities such as Fort Worth, Hurst, and Balch Springs using tools like: Pattern books with pre-approved housing designs Land banks and housing trust funds Layered financing strategies (TIF, LIHTC, CDBG, PRI) Veteran development labs and public-private partnerships This is not just a presentation—it’s a working session. They're here to listen, learn, and collaborate with leaders in East Texas with the goal of identifying communities ready to lead regional transformation with the support of a scalable, proven platform. RSVP by emailing support@rebuildingthefort.com.
The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) awarded the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) an Achievement Award for its efforts to build veteran-friendly communities in East Texas. Regional Achievement awards are presented annually to recognize excellence in programs and services of regional councils, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other regional organizations across the country. The Achievement Awards were presented during a ceremony at the recent NARC 59th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Seattle, Washington, where ETCOG received the Rural Award. Launched in July 2024, the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program was developed by ETCOG in collaboration with the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the University of Texas at Tyler, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The 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 good models of how to support veterans in areas such as housing, employment, healthcare, and education. “We’re proud to be recognized by NARC for a program that recognizes the men and women that lay their lives on the line to keep us free!,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “In East Texas, we’ve always believed in taking care of our veterans—not just with words, but with our actions. This award means a great deal to us, and it 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.” ETCOG has been a long-time member of NARC, whose member organizations are comprised of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities, large and small, urban and rural. Eight projects submitted from regional planning agencies across the nation received Achievement Awards. About the National Association of Regional Councils NARC serves as a national voice for regions by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues. NARC’s member organizations are composed of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities – large and small, urban and rural. For more information about NARC awards, conferences, and leadership, visit www.NARC.org .

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.

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 .

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

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.”