🎉 Happy Thanksgiving! We’ll be closed today and tomorrow to spend time with family and friends. 🦃💛 Thank you for being part of our community—we’re grateful for YOU!

🚌✨ We love being part of First Monday Trade Days in Canton so much that we're launching a new pilot route to give YOU a lift! Catch a ride with the GoBus Canton Cruiser on the dates below and make your visit even easier. We can’t wait to see you there! 🚏 Learn more: https://ow.ly/FJrm50Ugbn0

🌟 Funding Opportunity for Community Projects! 🌟 Eligible communities can now apply for grants of up to $750,000 through the Community Development Fund. Use this funding to enhance your community with projects like water system planning, recreational facilities, transportation upgrades, and more! ⏳ Deadline to Apply: December 6th Applications will be evaluated according to the TxCDBG Action Plan guidelines. Find out more → https://www.etcog.org/txcdbg-community-development-fund-applications-due-dec-9

Happy Birthday to Senator Robert Nichols! Sen. Nichols represents Texas’ 3rd District, which covers parts of our 14-county region, including Anderson, Cherokee, and Henderson counties.

We want to congratulate Wendi Horst on 10 years of service this month! Wendi is the ETCOG Director of Operations and oversees the team managing our budget, audits, and transactions for over 100 funding streams. Thank you, Wendi, for all you do!

The Workforce Solutions East Texas Newsletter, "The Solution," is out for the month! This comprehensive feature includes workforce, vocational rehabilitation, childcare services, and additional resources, extending our outreach in East Texas. In this issue: labor market data, veteran services, event recaps, CCS opportunities, and more! View the November newsletter → https://conta.cc/4eA1JFC

At ETCOG, we take pride in continuously striving for excellence! We're thrilled to support our Executive Director, David Cleveland, and Assistant Executive Director, Brandy Brannon, as they work to complete the prestigious Certified Public Manager program at Texas State University in partnership with the Texas Association of Regional Councils. Their dedication reflects our commitment to growth, leadership, and serving our communities at the highest level! 🌟👏

📉 Exciting News: November SBA 504 Loan Rates Are Here! 📉 Now is the perfect time to secure competitive financing for your business goals—whether it’s expanding operations, purchasing real estate, or investing in equipment. Check out these rates: 10-Year Rate: 6.629% 20-Year Rate: 6.487% 25-Year Rate: 6.413% At ETRDC, we’re committed to supporting your business growth. Let our expert team guide you through the SBA 504 loan process and help you find the right solution. Learn more at www.etrdc.com! 🚀

🌟 Grant Opportunity Alert 🌟 The Community Development Fund is offering grants of up to $750,000 to support construction and improvement projects in eligible communities! Projects may include water system planning, parks and recreation facilities, transportation systems, and more. Don’t miss out—applications are due by December 6th! Scoring for the Community Development Fund is guided by the TxCDBG Action Plan. Find out more at → https://ow.ly/9mv150U7q0e

Join us in welcoming the newest members of our Solid Waste Advisory Committee, recently approved by our Executive Committee! 🎉 Congratulations to Tim Whitley, Judge Andy Reese, and Zach Korthals—we’re excited to have you on the team and look forward to your contributions! 🚮

Medicare Open Enrollment is here until December 7! This is your opportunity to review your coverage and make any necessary changes. Schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable Certified Benefits Counselors today—we’re here to help you find the best coverage to fit your needs! 🖥️ https://www.easttexasaaa.org/contact-us ☎️ 1-800-442-8845 or 903-218-6500!

Help us congratulate these five incredible employees who are celebrating work anniversaries in November! 👏👏👏 Your commitment to the region is appreciated. Thank you for all you do!

Last week, the ETCOG Executive Committee held its monthly meeting under new leadership! Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn chaired his first meeting as the head of the ETCOG EC! 🎊 This committee meets monthly to implement the Board of Directors' programs and policies, authorize funds and contracts, and decide on grant applications. We appreciate their dedication and collaboration, driving progress across the East Texas region.

Thank you to all the employers and attendees who visited the Hiring Red, White & You! event! 🥳 We had an incredible turnout, and it’s always a privilege to support our local veterans and job seekers across East Texas. We're grateful to everyone who helped make this event a success!

Today, we take a moment to honor and celebrate the incredible individuals who have served our country. At ETCOG, we are proud to have team members who have selflessly dedicated themselves to protecting the freedoms we cherish. We deeply appreciate all that you have done, and we thank you for your service, sacrifice, and commitment. Your courage inspires us every day.

We will be closed on November 11th to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices of our veterans! We look forward to serving you again on November 12th.

🌟 Join Us in Welcoming Our New Staff! 🌟 We're thrilled to introduce three new team members: Susan Schooley, Purchasing Specialist; Ashley Zalman, Financial Services Specialist; and Rick Gibson, Facilities Maintenance Technician! 🎉 Each brings unique expertise and dedication to their role, helping us strengthen our operations and better serve our community. Welcome, Susan, Ashley, and Rick—we're excited to have you with us at ETCOG!

🚨 ETCOG Renews Mass Emergency Notification System 🚨 For the 14th year, ETCOG is strengthening its commitment to public safety with the renewal of a mass emergency notification system! Approved by our Executive Committee, this five-year contract with Rave Mobility ensures rapid, reliable alerts to East Texas communities for critical incidents like tornadoes, utility outages, evacuations, and more. Thanks to Homeland Security Grant funding, this system comes with unlimited messages and users, plus instant weather warnings and multilingual support to keep everyone informed. 📲💬 “Our goal is to expand access to cost-effective, life-saving alerts for more jurisdictions in the region,” said Public Safety Director Stephanie Heffner. 🌪️🌧️ Be prepared—sign up today for Smart911 Alerts at www.etcog.org/alerts to stay informed and keep your household’s emergency info ready for first responders.

Today’s the day! 🗳️ Have you had a chance to vote yet? Every voice matters, so make sure yours is heard. Let’s make a difference together!

Big thanks to everyone who joined our 104th Annual Board of Directors Meeting! We approved the FY25 budget, welcomed new officers, celebrated with the Chairman's Service Award, and enjoyed providing updates on our goals for the year!

A huge thank you to our Operations and Directors Teams for their hard work on the FY 2025 budget and planning guide! And an even bigger thank you to our Board of Directors for their support and approval of our budget of $85.4M! 📊 Learn more on our Financial Transparency page: www.etcog.org/financials

🍂 Today, we celebrated the season in style at our Fall Fest! 🎉 A big congratulations to all of our contest winners: 🎃 Pumpkin Decorating Champs: Operations Team – fantastic creativity! 🎃 Best Costume: Beetlejuice (Donetta Miller), you nailed it! 🎃 Group Costume Winners: The Spice Girls (our fabulous Operations Team!) Thanks to everyone who joined the festivities and thank you to Edgar's Big Taco - Food Truck for catering lunch! Wishing you all a fun, spooky, and safe day! 🎃👻🍁

Happy Birthday to Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn! Mayor Dunn serves as our newly appointed Chairman of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who spoke at our recent REACH event! Your knowledge and expertise were invaluable to all who attended, and we deeply appreciate your contribution in making the event such a success!

Don't let your garbage pile up! If you're in Gregg County come drop off some of that troubling trash on October 26th between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM! If you have any questions or need more information, call Gregg County at 903-236-8447! 📱

We had such an amazing time at the REACH conference this year! We can't thank our volunteers, sponsors, and speakers enough, but we want to give our team a shoutout, too! It definitely filled our cups to educate over 200 attendees! See you in 2026!

Thank you to all 48 of our exhibitors and 46 volunteers who helped make REACH a fantastic event this year! We couldn't have done it without you!

Happy Birthday to Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis! Judge Davis serves on the ETCOG Board of Directors and our Chief Elected Officials Board / Rural Transportation Planning Organization.

We’re thrilled about the construction of our on-site GoBus Maintenance Facility! Here at ETCOG, we're looking forward to the exciting upgrade and all its benefits!

ETCOG had a great turnout for the Texas Department of Agriculture's TxCDBG Kickoff Meeting on October 15th! 🏆 Regional stakeholders, grant recipients, and community leaders gathered to discuss grant allocations and proposed changes to the application process. Attendees also shared input on how TDA can best support non-entitlement communities, and grant awardees met one-on-one with TDA staff. Proud to host this event for East Texas!

Medicare's Open Enrollment starts today! Now's the time to make any necessary changes to your plan, and our benefits counselors are excited to help you with any questions you may have! Let the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas help you this year! 💻www.easttexasaaa.org/contact-us ☎️1-800-442-8845 or 903-218-6500

RFP Opportunity! We're looking to identify employers and training partners to offer Incumbent Worker Training funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) is designed to provide funding assistance to qualifying employers to provide skills training to full-time, permanent employees. To learn more and view the RFP, visit www.etcog.org/procurements!

Ready to dive into the world of benefit pools? We’ve engaged our benefits broker partners to help us assess the feasibility of developing a multiple-employer benefits pool. Join the discussion! RSVP → https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/qr9wd96

We are so thankful to have had Colleen Halliburton as our Director of the Area Agency on Aging for the last two years! Colleen, we appreciate all you've done to serve East Texas and hope you enjoy your retirement! 🥰🥳

Our GoBus staff were able to provide 10,493 trips in October to local East Texans! We provide safe, reliable, and friendly transit services to the 14 counties in our East Texas region. Book your trip today at → 1-800-590-3371 or gobustransit.com

👋 Say hello to our new board officers! We’re excited to introduce our new Chairman, City of Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn, along with the fresh faces on our Board and Executive Committee Officers for FY 2025. Plus, welcome to the Executive Committee members starting their new two-year term! 🎉 Here’s to another great year of leadership and regional impact! 🚀

🎉 Congrats to Camp County Judge AJ Mason for receiving the Chairman’s Service Award from Chairman William Hatfield at our recent Board of Directors Meeting. This award is given to the Executive Committee member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Your dedication to our region is truly appreciated. Thank you for your hard work and leadership! 👏

A heartfelt thank you to William Hatfield, Chairman of the ETCOG Executive Committee and Board of Directors, for your outstanding leadership and service over the past year! Elected by his peers, Commissioner Hatfield has done an exceptional job supporting the ETCOG region, its members, and employees. Your dedication has made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for all you’ve accomplished. Thank you for your service, Commissioner Hatfield and we wish you the best in the future! 🙏

At our Board of Directors Meetings, we like to kick things off with some spirit! Congratulations to Smith County on bringing the most spirit! They won the Traveling Spirit Award and will get bragging rights and the opportunity to decorate it for the next meeting.

We had a great turnout for our Illegal Dumping Solutions Workshop last week! It was our pleasure to help provide local officials with the tools and knowledge to combat illegal dumping in the East Texas region. Need to report a dump site? Visit www.etcog.org/RID.

🎉 Congratulations to our incredible ETCOG staff on their employment anniversaries! 🌟 Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence make a difference every day. Thank you for all that you do! Here's to many more years of success together! 🥳

ETCOG is exploring ways to improve financial and administrative efficiencies through collaborative purchasing of employee benefits. We're working with Gallagher to assess the possibility of a multiple-employer benefits pool for our members. Join us for an upcoming educational session! Register today → https://ow.ly/SIfy50TAoJ6

🎆REMINDER! Join us on October 15th for the Texas Department of Agriculture's TxCDBG Kickoff Meeting, hosted at our ETCOG HQ! If you're interested in learning about grant allocations and updates to the application process, register now at www.etcog.org/cdbg-kickoff-oct-15!

🥰National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day🥰 Here at ETCOG, we want to take a moment to sincerely thank Victoria for all she does. Her dedication and care for our staff and workforce centers never go unnoticed. We’re grateful to have her on the team; thank you, CJT Solutions!

It's REACH Conference Week! Here's a peek at our schedule for Day 2. It's not too late to join us for two days of learning the most current information on aging trends. Visit www.aaa-reachconference.org/sessions to learn more about the sessions, or register today!

Happy Birthday to Commissioner Robert Kuykendall! Commissioner Kuykendall represents Rusk County on the ETCOG Executive Committee and Board of Directors and currently serves as our 2nd Vice Chairman.

It's REACH Conference Week! Here's a peek at our schedule for Day 1. It's not too late to join us for two days of learning the most current information on aging trends. Visit www.aaa-reachconference.org/sessions to learn more about the sessions, or register today!

We have no shortage of great people on our staff! It's always bitter-sweet to say bye to such an incredible team member, but we hope you have a wonderful retirement, Trish!

If you or your team have been looking to get involved with FEMA, they're looking for some organizations to hold a few workshops! If you think you'd be interested, visit www.fema.gov/about/contact or reach out to OITASupport@anl.gov to get started!

🌟 Happy HR Appreciation Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate and recognize our incredible HR team, who go above and beyond to support our employees every day. From nurturing our company culture to ensuring we thrive in a positive and supportive environment—your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed! 💼❤️

🚀 Exciting things are happening in East Texas! The East Texas Technology and Innovation Coalition and Texas Venture Alliance will be hosting a Texas Venture Fest event right here in Tyler at True Vine Brewing. Don't miss an evening of innovation, networking, and collaboration with entrepreneurs, funders, and ecosystem providers from across East Texas. 🤝 Special guests and VIPs are in store, plus a chance to win a pair of Billy F. Gibbons "Have Mercy" Boots, donated by Alvie IV, founder of Alvies Boots! 👢✨ 🌟 Find out more at → https://www.texasventurefest.com/blog/press-release #TexasVentureFest #InnovateETX #Entrepreneurship #TylerTX #PineyWoods 🌲

We want to congratulate Kristti Brown on five years of service this month! Kristi is a Child Development Specialist - Texas Rising Star mentor who works directly with childcare facilities in the region to provide higher-quality early learning programs. Thank you, Kristti, for all you do!

We have incredible staff, and we figured there's no better way to celebrate them than with homemade ice-cream! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!

Happy Birthday to Congressman Nathaniel Moran! Congressman Moran represents Texas' 1st congressional district for the U.S. House of Representatives that covers Camp, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Rusk, Smith, and Upshur counties in our region.

You've heard about the REACH conference, and now's your chance to join! Visit www.aaa-reachconference.org to sign up and learn more! 📅 October 2-3, 2024 📍 Maude Cobb Convention Center - Longview ✍ Continuing Education Credits

Our Budget Sub-Committee is a select group of our Executive Committee members who thoroughly overviewed our Fiscal Year 2025 budget. They recommended our new budget for approval at our September meeting, and we're excited to present this budget to our full Board of Directors on September 26th!

We hope you're ready for our REACH Conference this October! We're proud to bring East Texas' premier conference on aging trends, disability, and caregiving services. Join us for two days of fun and learning from the very best minds in the business! Network, mingle, learn—what more could you ask for? Book your spot today! 📅 October 2-3, 2024 📍 Maude Cobb Convention Center - Longview ✍ Continuing Education Credits Visit www.aaa-reachconference.org to register and learn more!

🎉The Longview Workforce Center is growing and moving into a new location at 1905 W. Loop 281, Suite 40, which will open on October 1st! We can’t wait to serve the East Texas community in our new, improved facility! 👩‍💻Check out our news release to learn more! https://conta.cc/3B9wFOR

We'd like to wish Judge Andy Reese a Happy Birthday! Judge Reese represents Van Zandt County on the ETCOG Board, Executive Committee, and our Chief Elected Officials / Rural Transportation Planning Organization Board.

We're excited to share that our Transportation Director, Vince Huerta, testified before the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation this morning, emphasizing the critical role of public transit in supporting communities. He underscored the importance of safe, reliable, and friendly public transit service availability. Vince emphasized how these values ensure that all Texans, particularly those in rural areas, have access to transportation that connects them to jobs, healthcare, and essential services. Thank you to the Texas Senate and Committee Chairman, Senator Robert Nichols, for considering his testimony!

Celebrating the backbone of our digital world on National IT Professionals Day! 🎉 Thank you to our incredible IT team for keeping us connected, secure, and running smoothly every day!

The REACH Conference is almost here, and our schedule is ready! Visit www.aaa-reachconference.org/sessions to see what we have in store! 📅 October 2-3, 2024 📍 Maude Cobb Convention Center - Longview ✍ Continuing Education Credits Visit www.aaa-reachconference.org to register and learn more!

Join us for our Free Illegal Dumping Solutions Workshop! We look forward to helping provide local officials with the tools and knowledge to combat Illegal Dumping in the East Texas area. 📅 September 30, 2024 | 9 AM - 4 PM 📍 ETCOG | 3800 Stone Road - Kilgore, TX Visit www.etcog.org/illegal-dumping-sept-30 to secure your spot and learn more!

🔔 Have you heard about the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program? 🔔 Here at ETCOG, we stand in solidarity with our veterans and the communities that demonstrate unwavering commitment to supporting them. If your community values veterans and strives to provide essential resources, services, and opportunities to enhance their quality of life, we encourage you to apply for our newest program! To learn more and submit your application before November 29th, visit www.etcog.org/veteran-friendly-community!

🚨 Join Our Broadband Round Up Virtual Meeting! 🚨 For the past three years, ETCOG has been working hard to develop a comprehensive strategic broadband plan for our 14-county region. We've identified 65 essential projects with carefully crafted budgets that will guide us as we pursue grant funding to address our communities' growing connectivity needs. As we move into the next phase, we want to keep you informed and engaged! 🗓 Event Details: Date: September 20, 2024 Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: Virtual Meeting This meeting is your opportunity to hear about our progress, the challenges we’re facing, and our next steps toward bringing high-speed internet to underserved areas of East Texas. 🔗 Register here: https://www.etcog.org/broadband-sept-20

October 15th is the Texas Department of Agriculture's TxCBDG Kickoff Meeting, and we're excited to host it! If you're interested in hearing about grant allocations and proposed changes to the application process, visit www.etcog.org/cdbg-kickoff-oct-15 to register!

"It was the worst day we have ever seen, but it brought out the best in all of us." - Sen. John Kerry

The REACH Conference is just a few weeks away! We're proud to bring East Texas' premier conference on aging trends, disability, and caregiving services. Join us for two days of fun and learning from the very best minds in the business! Network, mingle, learn—what more could you ask for? 📅 October 2-3, 2024 📍 Maude Cobb Convention Center - Longview ✍ Continuing Education Credits Visit www.aaa-reachconference.org to register and learn more!

🎉 Congratulations to our incredible ETCOG staff on their employment anniversaries! 🌟 Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence make a difference every day. Thank you for all that you do! Here's to many more years of success together! 🥳

📢 Request for Applications: High Demand Job Training Grant 📢 ETCOG is now accepting applications for the Texas Workforce Commission's High Demand Job Training (HDJT) Program! 💼 This program provides up to $150,000 in matching funds to support high-demand job training and workforce development. Local Economic Development Corporations (EDCs) are invited to partner with training entities to apply. Past projects have included equipment and supplies for High School Career Tech programs and Community College training initiatives. 🔑 Application Deadline: September 26, 2024, by 5:00 PM 💡 ETCOG, in partnership with Workforce Solutions East Texas, is here to guide EDCs through the application process. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance workforce training in our region! 👉 For more info, visit www.easttexasworkforce.org/twc-grants.

🌟Now Hiring 🌟 We're hiring a Purchasing Specialist to assist with ensuring the efficient flow of purchasing goods and services, maintaining our centralized ordering procedures, preparing best value quotes, as well as processing requisitions and purchase orders. • $22.50 - $25.00/hourly • Full-time with pension plan • Apply online at → www.etcog.org/employment

⭐Hiring Opportunity⭐ The City of Van is seeking qualified candidates to serve as its City Manager. This position plans, directs, manages, and oversees the daily activities and operations of the City of Van, including the departments of General Administration, Community Services, Finance, Fire, Facilities Maintenance, Police, Public Utilities, and Public Works. • Full-time with a $100,000 salary • Minimum of 10 years experience in public administration Learn more and apply → www.etcog.org/van-city-manager

📢 Grant Deadline Approaching🌿 ETCOG is accepting applications for our annual Municipal Solid Waste grants! 💰 With $90,619.45 available for FY 2025, this is a fantastic opportunity for local governments and special districts to advance solid waste minimization projects. 📅 Apply by: September 13, 2024, 4:00 PM 📍 Service Area: Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. For details and application forms, visit www.etcog.org/solid-waste-grants. Let’s work together to keep East Texas clean! 🌎

We'll be closed in honor of Labor Day but will resume our regular hours on Tuesday, September 3rd! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday! 🎉

🌟Now Hiring 🌟 We're hiring a Long Term Care Advocate to help provide confidential support to nursing home and assisted living residents and their families, helping resolve concerns and ensuring their rights are protected. • $18 - $20/hourly • Part-time with pension plan • Apply online at → www.etcog.org/employment

🌟Now Hiring 🌟 We're hiring a Workforce Systems Improvement Analyst to assist with employer engagement efforts, facilitate training for incumbent workers, and conduct site reviews to ensure program eligibility and policy compliance. • $23.08 - $26.44/hourly • Full-time with pension plan • Apply online at → www.etcog.org/employment

Congratulations to our Communications & GoBus teams!🎉 We're the proud recipients of a @swtanation Spotlight Award, which recognizes marketing campaigns and projects in the public transportation industry. "We are thrilled to win a Spotlight Award for a video created highlighting how GoBus impacted the lives of two of our customers," said ETCOG's Communications Director, Lindsay Vanderbilt. "Transportation is a necessity, and we are proud to provide safe, reliable, and friendly services here in East Texas through GoBus."

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We’re thrilled to introduce Dylan Cook as our new Communications Specialist at the East Texas Council of Governments! 🎉 With Dylan on board, we’re looking forward to amplifying our message and connecting even more deeply with our community. Welcome to the team, Dylan!

🌟Now Hiring🌟 We're hiring a Financial Service Specialist to work with accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and assist in processing bank transactions. • $19.23 - $21.63/hourly • Full-time with pension plan • Apply online at → www.etcog.org/employment

Our Operations Director, Wendi Horst, received her Certified Government Financial Manager® (CGFM®)professional certification at AGA’s Professional Development Training this July! Congratulations Wendi!

📸🏢 Our Building Subcommittee is hard at work! This month's meeting was all about advising on our agency's building projects and future planning. 🏗️✨ A huge thank you to our dedicated members for their insights and expertise, helping us pave the way for a better future!

We're excited to wish a Happy Birthday to our fearless leader and Executive Director, David Cleveland! We want to thank you for everything you do for East Texas and your team here at ETCOG! Happy birthday to you!

⭐Hiring Opportunity⭐ The City of Van is seeking qualified candidates to serve as its City Manager. This position plans, directs, manages, and oversees the daily activities and operations of the City of Van, including the departments of General Administration, Community Services, Finance, Fire, Facilities Maintenance, Police, Public Utilities, and Public Works. • Full-time with a $100,000 salary • Minimum of 10 years experience in public administration • To learn more and apply, visit www.etcog.org/van-city-manager As a part of ETCOG's Executive Recruitment Services, the City of Van has partnered with us to seek its new leadership position.

We'd like to wish Judge Chad Sims a Happy Birthday! Judge Sims represents Harrison County on the ETCOG Board, and our Chief Elected Officials and Rural Transportation Planning Organization Board.

📢 Attention East Texas! 🌿 ETCOG is now accepting applications for our annual Municipal Solid Waste grants! 💰 With $90,619.45 available for FY 2025, this is a fantastic opportunity for local governments and special districts to advance solid waste minimization projects. 📅 Apply by: September 13, 2024, 4:00 PM 📍 Service Area: Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. This year, we're prioritizing projects that focus on reducing illegal dumping! Join our mandatory grant workshop on August 21 to learn more about the new guidelines and application process. 🗑️ For details and application forms, visit www.etcog.org/solid-waste-grants. Let’s work together to keep East Texas clean! 🌎💪

We'd like to wish Rep. Cody Harris a Happy Birthday! Rep. Harris is from Palestine and serves District 8 in the Texas House.

ETCOG is now accepting applications for our annual Municipal Solid Waste grants! This year, we're prioritizing projects that focus on reducing illegal dumping! Join our mandatory grant workshop on August 21 to learn more about the new guidelines and application process. 🗑️ ✍️ Register to attend: https://bit.ly/3YKySdj For details and application forms, visit www.etcog.org/solid-waste-grants. Let’s work together to keep East Texas clean! 🌎

It's time to submit your election updates for the Regional Directory! ETCOG maintains an online regional directory with contacts for city and county governments, school districts, and East Texas legislators. This database gives citizens access to all of our jurisdictions' contacts in one convenient place! Updates occur after every election, so please check your listing and submit updates by clicking the update button on the page. 💻www.etcog.org/regional-directory

📢 Attention East Texas! 🌿 ETCOG is now accepting applications for our annual Municipal Solid Waste grants! 💰 With $90,619.45 available for FY 2025, this is a fantastic opportunity for local governments and special districts to advance solid waste minimization projects. 📅 Apply by: September 13, 2024, 4:00 PM 📍 Service Area: Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. This year, we're prioritizing projects that focus on reducing illegal dumping! Join our mandatory grant workshop on August 21 to learn more about the new guidelines and application process. 🗑️ For details and application forms, visit www.etcog.org/solid-waste-grants. Let’s work together to keep East Texas clean! 🌎💪

You can't tell from the photos, but this month's meeting agenda was extra long! Special thanks to our Executive Committee, who gave each item their full consideration and attention. From approving recycling plans ♻️ and purchases for mobile workforce centers 🚌 to advising on contracts and lease agreements 🏢...you do so much for East Texas!

📸🎉 ETCOG is all about leveling up our customer service game! 🏆 Our supervisors met this week to refresh on MAGIC customer service principles and Management Best Practice Standards. We want to thank everyone on the team for their efforts in adhering to and leading staff to our standards of excellence.

🚨Fraud Alert: Notice of Violation Letter Phishing Scam🚨 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General is issuing this fraud alert to highlight an increasingly common phishing scam involving fraudulent EPA Notice of Violation letters. In this scam, a fraudster sends a falsified EPA Notice of Violation letter to a target business and requests that the business respond by phone or email.

ETCOG's East Texas Development District recently partnered with Grant Writing USA to host a grant writing workshop for local jurisdictions. 📝✨ Participants gained valuable insights on funding sources and learned how to craft winning proposals. Thank you to everyone who attended and made this event a success!

🎉 Congratulations to our incredible ETCOG staff on their employment anniversaries! 🌟 Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence make a difference every day. Thank you for all that you do! Here's to many more years of success together! 🥳

Happy Birthday to Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt! Judge Stoudt generously serves on our ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee and the Chief Elected Officials / Rural Transportation Planning Board.

The City of Lakeport and the East Texas Council of Governments are seeking to identify qualified vendors/candidates to deliver reliable and sustainable broadband internet service to the city of Lakeport, Texas.