$3.4M in Public Safety Grants Approved for East Texas Region

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $81,429.64 in grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) awarded to East Texas jurisdictions, special districts, and regional initiatives to support waste minimization efforts in ETCOG's fourteen-county region. This funding assists jurisdictions in establishing or expanding projects that would directly provide a measurable effect on reducing the amount of waste going into area landfills by diverting various materials from the municipal solid waste stream for beneficial use or reducing waste generation at the source. Applicants were eligible to apply for the following Municipal Solid Waste Grant Project Categories: 1) Local Enforcement, 2) Litter and Illegal Dumping Clean up and Community Collection Events, 3) Source Reduction & Recycling, 4) Local Solid Waste Management Plans, 5) Citizens' Collection Stations and "Small" Registered Transfer Stations, 6) Household Hazardous Waste Management, 7) Technical Studies, 8) Educational and Training Projects. ETCOG annually helps jurisdictions apply for funds, which are then ranked and scored by our Solid Waste Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of local subject matter experts from the region. After the ETCOG Executive Committee approves the projects, we recommend them to TCEQ. TCEQ has approved the following grants in East Texas for funding. FY 2025 Solid Waste Grant Projects - $81,429.64 

The T exas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is pleased to announce the release of a new grant opportunity for the upcoming Program Year 2025: 2025 CDBG Downtown Revitalization Program, with Main Street Set Aside (CDM) Purpose: The Downtown Revitalization Program objective is to provide infrastructure improvements to address the conditions that contribute to the deterioration in an area designated as slum or blighted in the applicant community's downtown or main street area.. Maximum Grant Amount: $1,000,000 Community Application Deadline: April 3, 2025 Program Landing Page & Application Guide Application Webinars and Technical Assistance The application process for 2025 has been revised to include two distinct phases. The Community Application, due April 3, 2025, will collect information needed to assess community eligibility and scoring. Applicants that score within funding range will be invited to submit a Project Application that identifies a project and details the specific work to be performed. A webinar has been planned to assist applicants with this new process – no registration is required, and the link to join the session can be found on the TxCDBG Training webpage . January 29, 2025 - Application Webinar for 2025 TxCDBG Downtown Revitalization Program February 19, 2025 - Application Webinar for 2025 TxCDBG Downtown Revitalization Program If you have questions regarding either application, please reach out to CDBGApps@TexasAgriculture.gov .

Nominations are Due by Monday, February 10, 2025

ETCOG Awarded for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 23 Consecutive Years

Four Critical Projects Funded to Improve Radio Interoperability

Act now! Submit your challenge by December 17

ETCOG is making significant progress toward enhancing broadband access in East Texas. We anticipate receiving final approval this week for our Tier D and E license, officially enabling us to participate in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program challenge process. Key Partnerships Our team is actively collaborating with the Dallas Federal Reserve's BBI program, Rural LISC, Communities Unlimited, and the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) to advance broadband projects across the region. We are also working to secure Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for two counties that meet Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) criteria, ensuring more equitable access to broadband. Funding Secured In the past six months, ETCOG has secured $100,000 in grant funds to engage two independent broadband grant-writing organizations. These teams are focused on identifying additional funding opportunities and reviewing and developing applications for federal and state broadband programs. Recent Grant Applications ETCOG partnered with DETCOG to submit an application for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) $12 billion grant program. We expect to receive updates on award designations in early Spring 2025. Infrastructure Coordination This week, ETCOG met with TXDOT to explore synergies between our broadband plans and state-funded highway projects. We discussed opportunities to integrate fiber optic installation into TXDOT construction efforts, potentially reducing costs and accelerating deployment. Collaboration with the BDO In a recent meeting with the Broadband Development Office (BDO), we reviewed the status of East Texas broadband projects. The BDO commended ETCOG's ongoing efforts and invited us to participate in Austin-based training, planning, and funding opportunities to further support our broadband initiatives. Next Steps Our team is currently reviewing the new BEAD application process and coordinating with DETCOG to develop a strategic plan for upcoming funding applications. These efforts align with our mission to ensure that East Texas communities have access to reliable, high-speed internet connectivity. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand broadband access across the region. Questions? Contact our Special Projects Director, David Scott, at 903-218-6489.

ETCOG is now accepting interest forms from individuals passionate about making a difference in our region. We have multiple vacancies on our advisory committees, and we invite citizens in our region to submit your interest for consideration.