East Texas Broadband Planning Initiative Update, Texas Legislation - 88th Session
East Texas Council of Governments • September 14, 2023
A 3-Year Broadband Planning Grant from EDA totaling $375K is underway at ETCOG —utilized for the development of a Broadband Strategic Plan for all of East Texas. A total of $161K in matching funds was committed by our member agencies, EDCs, and ETCOG to support the project.
ETCOG staff has been working with each county to rank and prioritize projects that business leaders and broadband providers have proposed to address the identified needs. The final plan includes three to five top-rated projects in each county, with associated budgets required to implement each project.
County Status Report
ETCOG is proud to announce broadband studies are completed for all 14 counties, 62 locally identified projects have been planned to date and approved by 12 counties, and plans are in progress and pending approvals for Henderson County and the city of Whitehouse in Smith County.
Plans will be used to seek project implementation funds through grants, foundations, etc. See your county’s status and download approved plans at www.etcog.org/broadband-planning
East Texas Initiative Shared at National Conference
ETCOG was honored to join the national Fiber Connect conference hosted by the Fiber Broadband Association and the National Association of Counties (NACo) last month. Our Communications Director, Lindsay Vanderbilt, served on the panel "Community Impact: Broadband and the Social Good," where speakers discussed lessons learned as community leaders leverage fiber broadband to make their community's future brighter, more inclusive, and connected.
Texas Legislation on Broadband
Summary of Senate Bill (SB) 1238
SB 1238 (Sen. Nichols) amends the Government Code to build on the Broadband Development Program established by HB 5 (87R). This legislation provides updated policy and guidance for the BDO to administer the program more efficiently. More specifically, the bill:
- Updates the definition of “broadband service” to include latency.
- Pivots the state broadband map from depicting areas eligible for available funding to an analysis tool depicting unserved and underserved locations.
- Mirrors the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program’s fiber preference and provides an exception in high-cost areas.
- Clarifies that only existing federal funding commitments to expand broadband will disqualify locations from funding.
- Removes the prohibition on internet service providers that don't submit data to the BDO from applying for funding.
- Requires awardees to submit deployment plans for prior awarded federal funds to the BDO.
Summary of House Joint Resolution (HJR) 125
HJR 125 (Rep. Ashby) amends the constitution to create the Broadband Infrastructure Fund (BIF), which, if approved by voters on the November 2023 ballot, will provide $1.5 billion in state dollars to fund broadband and emergency telecommunications infrastructure projects in Texas.
If approved by voters, the BIF will expire on Sept. 1, 2035, and any unexpended or unobligated funds will be transferred to the General Revenue Fund immediately before the expiration date.
ETCOG has received a 2025 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for its efforts in building Veteran-Friendly Communities in East Texas. The Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program launched in 2024 as a collaborative effort between ETCOG, the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), the University of Texas at Tyler (UTT), and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). This 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 a model for supporting veterans in areas such as housing, employment, healthcare, and education. Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through innovative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies. This year’s cohort included 90 impactful projects led by 79 organizations across 24 states. These award-winning efforts were recognized during NADO’s 2025 Annual Training Conference, held this past October in Salt Lake City, Utah. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap thatshowcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at www.nado.org/2025impactawards/. “The Impact Awards are an annual reminder of the creativity and commitment that regional development organizations bring to their communities,” said 2024-2025 NADO President Rick Hunsaker, Executive Director of the Region XII Council of Governments in Iowa. “This year’s awardees show how local and regional partnerships, driven by vision and collaboration, can lead to lasting positive change across our country.” “We’re proud to be recognized by NADO 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.” The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.
Communities across East Texas are invited to apply for ETCOG’s 2025 Veteran-Friendly Community Designation. The program highlights local cities and counties that make an exceptional effort to honor and assist veterans and their families. In its first year, two East Texas communities, Quitman/Wood County and Tyler/Smith County, earned the designation. The initiative has already drawn national attention, earning ETCOG the Achievement Award from the National Association of Regional Councils and the Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations. “Communities that invest in their veterans strengthen the entire region,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “This designation shows a shared commitment to welcoming service members home and helping them thrive.” Applications are open through Thursday, December 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ETCOG staff are available to help with the process, and all eligible cities are encouraged to apply. For details and application materials, visit www.etcog.org/veteran-friendly-community .
In September, Whitehouse Mayor and ETCOG Board Chairman, James Wansley, took the Oath of Office to serve as vice president of the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) Board, the statewide association of regional councils, whose members are focused on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. Wansley serves on the board as a representative of ETCOG. The TARC Board elected Mayor Wansley to serve as its vice president for 2025-2026 during its annual Board of Directors meeting held in Austin last month. "It is my honor to represent ETCOG on the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) board," said Wansley. "Each of TARC's 24-member Councils of Governments operates independently. During our TARC sessions, we come together to explore what's new, what works, and what needs to be improved. As vice-president of the TARC board, I look forward to learning more about successful processes and programs from other Councils of Governments and how they might help ETCOG fill service and funding gaps in our region." Mayor Wansley took office as Whitehouse Mayor in 2020 and has served as a member of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2022. He became Chairman of the ETCOG Board and Executive Committee Chairman on October 1, 2025. “Mayor Wansley is always willing to serve wherever he can, and wherever he serves, he makes a difference!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “In his new role as TARC Vice President, I am absolutely certain he will be an effective ambassador for identifying and implementing regional solutions to the challenges we face, both in East Texas and throughout the State!”
Empty buildings and unused lots can weigh a community down, but they also hold potential. ETCOG’s Brownfield Site Reuse & Revitalization Program offers funding through a $1 million EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant to help East Texas communities turn those properties into productive spaces again. What is a Brownfield? Brownfield – 1. real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. 2. abandoned or underutilized property that is not being redeveloped because of fears that it may be contaminated with hazardous substances. The grant covers environmental site assessments, cleanup and reuse planning, and surveys for regulated building materials—all at no cost to cities, counties, or property owners. Whether you’re envisioning new housing, business development, or community gathering places, this program can help bring those ideas to life. Funding is available through September 2027, and ETCOG staff are available to guide applicants every step of the way. To nominate a property or learn more, visit www.etcog.org/brownfields-program .
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) announces the opening of a 15-day public comment period for the State of Texas Draft 2025 Consolidated Plan Annual Performance Report (CAPER): Reporting on Program Year 2024
In September, Whitehouse Mayor and ETCOG Board Chairman, James Wansley, took the Oath of Office to serve as vice president of the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) Board, the statewide association of regional councils, whose members are focused on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. Wansley serves on the board as a representative of ETCOG. The TARC Board elected Mayor Wansley to serve as its vice president for 2025-2026 during its annual Board of Directors meeting held in Austin last month. "It is my honor to represent ETCOG on the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) board," said Wansley. "Each of TARC's 24-member Councils of Governments operates independently. During our TARC sessions, we come together to explore what's new, what works, and what needs to be improved. As vice-president of the TARC board, I look forward to learning more about successful processes and programs from other Councils of Governments and how they might help ETCOG fill service and funding gaps in our region." Mayor Wansley took office as Whitehouse Mayor in 2020 and has served as a member of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2022. He became Chairman of the ETCOG Board and Executive Committee Chairman on October 1, 2025. “Mayor Wansley is always willing to serve wherever he can, and wherever he serves, he makes a difference!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “In his new role as TARC Vice President, I am absolutely certain he will be an effective ambassador for identifying and implementing regional solutions to the challenges we face, both in East Texas and throughout the State!” Wansley will be joined on the TARC Executive Committee by City of Waco Mayor Jim Holmes, as president, San Augustine County Judge Jeff Boyd as president-elect, City of Caldwell Mayor Pro-Tem Kavon Novak as immediate past president, and Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments, Eric Bridges, as the Executive Directors’ Council Chair. In addition to its annual Board meeting, the association held training throughout the week for elected officials, executive directors, and program staff representing the councils of governments across the state. About TARC The Texas Association of Regional Councils is the statewide association of regional councils whose members focus on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. The 24 regional councils, also known as councils of governments (COGs), are comprised of city, county, and special district members working together to implement cost-effective, results-oriented strategies that address statewide and local needs on a regional scale. www.txregionalcouncil.org
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the grand opening of its new GoBus Maintenance Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 PM. The celebration will take place at the new facility, located directly behind ETCOG’s headquarters at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, and the public is invited to attend. This new $3.3 million facility, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation, represents a major step forward for the GoBus program. With two work bays, a dedicated wash bay, training rooms, and expanded fleet parking, the facility will serve as the home base for both GoBus administrative and maintenance teams. “This facility allows us to take a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and safety,” said Vince Huerta, ETCOG Transportation Director. “Having the ability to complete repairs in-house means we can get vehicles back on the road faster and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services.” The GoBus program provides public transit service across ETCOG’s 14-county region. By investing in in-house maintenance, ETCOG will be able to improve efficiency, conduct more thorough inspections, and reduce repair turnaround times—all while keeping service reliable for East Texas riders. Community members, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to join ETCOG staff for the ribbon-cutting and facility tour. The event not only celebrates the opening of a new building but also marks an investment in the future of regional transit and the people who rely on it every day.
Local governments and special districts have been given the opportunity to apply for grant funds from the East Texas Council of Governments, funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). To support regional waste minimization efforts in ETCOG’s fourteen (14) county region, ETCOG accepts applications for its annual Municipal Solid Waste grant funds. The approximate expected total amount of funding is $161,705. The grant application period closed on September 29, 2025. Submitted grant applications are available for public and private review from October 2, 2025, to October 15, 2025. For questions or comments, please contact ETCOG's Economic Development Manager, Lisa Smith , by email or calling (903) 218-6467.
ETCOG is pleased to announce its new Chairman, City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley, the new Board and Executive Committee Officers serving for FY 2026, and Executive Committee members serving a new two-year term. The ETCOG Board of Directors appoints the Executive Committee, which is responsible for establishing the policies, programs, and services on behalf of the Board for our 14-county region. Board Officers Chairman – City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley 1st Vice-Chairman – Camp County Judge AJ Mason 2nd Vice Chairman – Smith County Commissioner Ralph Caraway 3rd Vice Chairman – City of Carthage City Commissioner Tate Barber Secretary/Treasurer – Anderson County Commissioner Rashad Mims “My first experience of working with ETCOG came shortly after hearing Executive Director David Cleveland speak at a regional broadband workshop. The more I worked with David and the ETCOG staff, the more I saw their passion for serving our communities and the critical role Councils of Governments play in the great State of Texas. Our region has only one Council of Governments, and we are blessed that ours is strong and continually working to do more. Each of our Executive Board’s elected officials, representing ETCOG’s 14 counties, is dedicated to continuing to provide innovative solutions and excellent service. As Chairman for the upcoming fiscal year, I look forward to working with the board, the staff, our committees, and the communities we serve to shape our strategic plan. I am looking forward to working with you,” said Mayor Wansley. New Executive Committee Terms Anderson County – Commissioner Rashad Mims Camp County – Judge AJ Mason Harrison County – Commissioner William Hatfield Henderson County – Commissioner Chuck McHam Rusk County – Commissioner Robert Kuykendall Van Zandt County – Judge Andy Reese Wood County – Mayor Randy Dunn New Executive Committee Members *Gregg County Cities – City of Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara *Gregg County Cities has a one-year unexpired term remaining, for which Mayor Ishihara was nominated to fill the seat. "I am grateful for the volunteer service rendered by all of our elected officials and particularly want to thank and congratulate our new Chairman, Mayor James Wansley, and the rest of our ETCOG Officers and Board members for their selfless dedication and service to our region," said ETCOG's Executive Director, David Cleveland. These new officers and board member terms were approved at our September 18 th Board of Directors meeting, where the FY 2026 Budget and Planning Guide totaling $86 M was also approved. The budget is the largest in agency history and represents a balanced budget, with revenue sources matching projected expenditures for all funds. Service program totals are: Area Agency on Aging of East Texas – $4,885,886 Public Safety – $4,363,393 Transportation – $11,745,053 Workforce & Economic Development – $64,503,626 GIS & Regional Technology Solutions – $279,824 General Fund – $275,584 To learn more about the FY 2026 budget and program goals, visit www.etcog.org/financials .