Providing
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS 

for East Texas

OUR SERVICES

Providing
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS
for East Texas

OUR SERVICES

HELLO, WE ARE THE 
EAST TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

We are a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts within the fourteen-county East Texas region. 

We assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development.


We serve as the bridge between federal, state, and local governments, helping cities and counties solve challenges and impact the future regionally.


Established in 1970, ETCOG, either directly or through its contractors, provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers, and job seekers. ETCOG and its contractors also build the 9-1-1 emergency call delivery system, provide peace officer training and homeland security planning services, and deliver rural transportation services, business finance programs, and environmental grant funding for the region. 


We serve Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. 



SERVING EAST TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, 

SENIORS, EMPLOYERS, AND JOB SEEKERS

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GIS & IT Services

Regional Technology Solutions

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Public Safety

9-1-1, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security

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Public Transportation

GoBus Transit


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Workforce Development

Workforce Solutions 

East Texas

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More Services

NEWS, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

You're Invited: Three Dates Set for ETCOG 101 Workshops

By East Texas Council of Governments • July 9, 2025
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
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Strategic Listening Session on Veteran-Led Community Revitalization Coming to Kilgore

By East Texas Council of Governments • July 7, 2025
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.

Environmental Law Training Courses Offered by ETCOG

By Lindsay Vanderbilt • July 7, 2025
Day 1: Basic Environmental Law Training Day 2: Intermediate Environmental Law Training
More News

OUR REGION

Councils of Governments (COGs) are voluntary associations of local governments formed under Texas law. The East Texas Council of Governments serves fourteen counties in the East Texas region.

Centrally located within the United States, East Texas is easily accessible by air, rail and road. Our region has top-notch education and workforce training institutes. And you just will not find anywhere else with the combination of rolling hills, piney woods and vast, clear lakes that comprise the largely undeveloped East Texas landscape. 
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OPEN MEETINGS

Our meetings are open to the public. Upcoming meetings are posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance.

MEETINGS

PROCUREMENTS

We seek quotes, bids, and proposals on an as needed basis. See what procurement opportunities we have available here.

PROCUREMENTS

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in joining the ETCOG team?
See what job opportunities are currently available.

JOBS


OPEN MEETINGS

Our meetings are open to the public.

Upcoming meetings are posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance.


MEETINGS

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY


ETCOG discloses the financial health of the organization in our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. We provide this information in order to ensure transparency in all financial matters.



REPORTS


PROCUREMENTS


We seek quotes, bids, and proposals on an as needed basis. See what procurement opportunities we have available here.



PROCUREMENTS

WHAT OUR MEMBERS THINK

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JUDGE BILL STOUDT

Gregg County

East Texas Council of Governments represents a collective initiative by member counties to make our Region of the State a better place to live and raise a family.

Judge AJ Mason

JUDGE AJ MASON

Camp County

The many programs administered by ETCOG touch the lives of every citizen in our 14-county region. We are fortunate to have this organization that constantly strives to have a positive impact on East Texas. The Leadership and Staff at ETCOG are second to none and East Texas is a better place because of it.

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COUNCILMAN BOB TARDIFF

City of Lindale

I am very honored to have been elected as Board Chairman for

an organization consisting of so many outstanding community

leaders. I continue to enjoy working with each of them and the ETCOG staff as we collectively

address the many shared concerns of our communities.