Providing
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS
for East Texas

At its February meeting, the East Texas Council of Governments Executive Committee awarded the City of Longview and the City of Winnsboro as this year’s recipients of the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation. The Veteran-Friendly Community Designation program was created in 2025 to recognize communities that actively welcome and support veterans and their families by meeting real needs in everyday life. In its first year, ETCOG designated the City of Tyler/Smith County and the City of Quitman/Wood County as the program’s inaugural Veteran-Friendly Communities. A Veteran-Friendly Community is defined as one that provides ongoing support in areas including employment, housing, transportation, health care, education, and overall quality of life. Communities seeking designation were required to meet established standards, including: Provide proof of community and organizational support. Submit a comprehensive community profile with key information for veterans and their families, including demographics, housing, and healthcare access. Maintain a community development strategy that directly addresses veterans’ needs. Complete an initial and annual self-assessment to identify service gaps and guide improvements. “Recognizing Longview and Winnsboro as Veteran-Friendly Communities reflects the real work these cities are doing for the men and women who served our country,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “Veterans deserve more than words of thanks. They deserve access to jobs, healthcare, housing, and support systems that help them build strong lives at home. These communities are setting the standard for what that looks like in East Texas.” “Programs like this help communities take a clear look at what they’re doing well and where they can grow,” said ETCOG Special Projects Director David Scott. “It’s about making sure veterans can live, work, and raise families in places that value their service and invest in their future.” With continued interest from communities across the region, ETCOG plans to reopen the application process annually to allow more cities and counties to pursue the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation.

ETCOG is proud to host the Texas Department of Agriculture on March 12th to hold a TxCDBG Regional Outreach Meeting. Join us to hear a TxCDBG grant program overview of requirements, allocation formula, upcoming funding opportunities, and TDA's one-year action plan. Eligible applicants in our region are all non-entitlement communities, which include all of our cities with the exception of Tyler, Marshall, and Longview. When Thursday, March 12, 2026 10:00 AM Where ETCOG Headquarters 3800 Stone Road Kilgore, TX 75662 Please RSVP your attendance!