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Workforce Solutions East Texas Expands Partnered Service Locations with Kilgore College and Texas Tech Satellite Campus

Workforce Solutions East Texas • November 13, 2020

Join the Open House and Kickoff Event!

kilgore college

Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) is pleased to announce a new Access Point Partner Locations established at the Kilgore College Student Support Center Lab opening on Wednesday, November 18, and the Texas Tech Jefferson Professional Education and Academic Advising Campus opening on Monday, November 16, 2020. Access Point locations are service locations where WSET has established partnerships with community organizations to set up a place for service access for job seekers to receive on-site assistance. These sites have a WSET resource area where job seekers can register for WorkInTexas.com, receive assistance with job searches, register for professional development workshops, and access resources during their staffed service hours.


KILGORE COLLEGE ACCESS POINT

The Kilgore College, Access Point location, is located at located in at 977 Ross Avenue in Kilgore and will be staffed every Wednesday from 9 AM to 2 PM. WSET invites the public to attend an open house on November 18 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Student Support Center Lab. To support social distancing, please come and go as you wish.


"Workforce Solutions East Texas is proud to partner with President Dr. Brenda Kays and Kilgore College as we continue to tailor our services footprint in the region,” said WSET Executive Director, Doug Shryock. “The Kilgore College/Workforce Services center will reach students and members of the public where they are, in Gregg County, Rusk County, and beyond. This is one more example of the productive relationship between Workforce Services and higher education as we groom our talented neighbors to meet and exceed the needs of today's and tomorrow's employers.  We're here to support participants earning the degrees, credentials, and certificates industry demands, setting them on lifelong career trajectories. Our graduates will, in turn, show future employers why the smart choice is to call Kilgore home."

 

“We are extremely proud to partner with Workforce Solutions East Texas to provide this needed access point for our students and community members. It is a win-win for both Kilgore College and the city of Kilgore,” Kays said. “This is such a positive addition to the Kilgore campus, allowing easy access for those who are seeking to use their education to enter living-wage careers.”

 

TEXAS TECH ACCESS POINT

The Texas Tech Access Point location is located at 120 E. Austin Street, Jefferson, TX 75657 and will be staffed every second Wednesday from 10AM to 2 PM. WSET invites the public to join us for partnership kickoff on November 16, 2020 at 10 AM.

 

These are the fifth and sixth Access Point locations to open since December expanding service opportunities for job seekers. WSET also has partnered locations with Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, Rains County Library in Emory, the Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points, and St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler. Details on Access Point location service hours can be viewed at www.easttexasworkforce.org/locations. 


About Workforce Solutions East Texas

It is the mission of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board to improve the quality of life in this area through economic development by providing a first-class workforce for present and future businesses. The Board works in partnership with chief elected officials of the region and is the primary source of local workforce policy. The Workforce Solutions East Texas Board is one of 28 local Workforce Solutions Boards located throughout the state. The Board serves Henderson, Van Zandt, Rains, Wood, Upshur, Camp, Marion, Harrison, Panola, Gregg, Rusk, Cherokee, Anderson, and Smith counties. The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) serves as the administrating agency of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board. www.easttexasworkforce.org 


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ETCOG Awards Two East Texas Cities with Veteran-Friendly Community Designation

By East Texas Council of Governments • February 19, 2025
This month, the ETCOG Executive Committee took action to award the City of Tyler/Smith County and the City of Quitman/Wood County as the first recipients of its Veteran-Friendly Community Designation program. The pilot program launched in July 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). A Veteran Friendly Community is defined as a community that encourages and welcomes veterans into their community by providing ongoing assistance and addressing their needs in the areas of economics, housing, transportation, health care, education, and overall quality of life. ETCOG and AACOG collaborated on creating a proposal for both urban and rural communities to apply for official community designation from September 1 to November 30, 2024. To qualify for this recognition, communities were required to meet standards, including: Provide proof of community and organizational support. Provide a comprehensive community profile with key information for veterans and their families, such as demographics, housing, and healthcare. Maintain an up-to-date community development strategy addressing veterans’ needs. Complete an initial and annual self-assessment to identify and address resource or service gaps. “Being recognized as a Veteran-Friendly Community not only honors this city’s commitment to veterans, but also sets a standard for others to follow,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland, “Veterans have made immense sacrifices in service to our country, and we must ensure they receive the support and respect they deserve when they return home. A Veteran-Friendly Community designation signals that the City of Tyler/Smith County and the City of Quitman/Wood County prioritize the needs of veterans, offering them access to resources, services, and opportunities that enhance their quality of life. Our Executive Committee was thrilled to recognize these communities' hard work and dedication to East Texas veterans.” "ETCOG is very proud of the work and collaboration among our partners with AACOG, UT Tyler, and UT San Antonio in creating a program that showcases the proud work our communities are providing for our veterans in both inclusion and improving the quality of life in our communities,” said ETCOG Special Projects Director David Scott. “This program also provides the opportunity for our communities to assess their needs in work, housing, healthcare, education, and daily life while seeking continuous improvements in those areas for veterans to remain and contribute to local communities." With community interest, ETCOG plans to re-open the application period annually for communities across the region to apply.
A woman is holding a pile of paper next to a trash can.

New Recycling Facility Opens in Kilgore, Advancing Sustainability in East Texas

By East Texas Council of Governments • February 17, 2025
ETCOG is excited to share the news of a major advancement in regional recycling efforts! The Northeast Texas Regional MRF (NETX) has officially opened a new 50,000-square-foot Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Kilgore, Texas. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to process residential and commercial single-stream recyclables, as well as commercial cardboard, making recycling easier and more efficient for East Texans.  With advanced mechanical sorting technology, NETX’s new facility will help reduce landfill waste by efficiently processing paper, plastics, aluminum, and more. The single-stream system allows residents and businesses to place all recyclables in a single bin, simplifying participation and boosting recycling rates. “We are thrilled to open this new facility in Kilgore, which will not only help reduce environmental impact but also support the local economy,” said Todd Lucas, General Manager of NETX. The facility will support municipal waste programs, create local jobs, and divert thousands of tons of recyclable materials from landfills each year. An open house is planned for this spring, inviting the public to tour the facility and learn more about its operations. For more information on the new facility, partnership opportunities, or recycling guidelines, please visit NETXMRF.com .
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ETCOG Releases 2024 Regional Solutions Reports

By East Texas Council of Governments • February 12, 2025
ETCOG is committed to delivering impactful regional solutions, guided by the leadership of our Board, Executive Committee, and Advisory Committees. To highlight the results of our work, we have released the 2024 Solutions Reports, providing a county-by-county snapshot of the services and resources delivered during Fiscal Year 2024. These reports showcase ETCOG’s service deliverables across critical areas, including economic development, environmental impact, public safety enhancement, senior services, public transportation, and workforce development. Across the region, ETCOG is proud to report the following accomplishments: $8.7M allocated in regional grants $2.5M invested in the 9-1-1 system 89.3K job seekers and employers served 11.6K seniors received essential services $32.4M provided for childcare assistance 128,643 GoBus trips provided 457K meals served to seniors 1,654 peace officers trained Each Solutions Report breaks down these results at the county level, showcasing how ETCOG has directly supported residents and local jurisdictions. Copies of the reports will be distributed to area elected officials and ETCOG members this month, along with their annual dues statements. ETCOG’s local membership dues, contributed by cities, counties, and special districts, help fund general council operations and provide required matching funds for key federal and state programs that benefit East Texas. Digital reports are available on our website year-round. To see how ETCOG has specifically served your county, view the 2024 Solutions Reports at www.etcog.org/solutions-reports .
A man and a woman are walking through a grassy field holding garbage bags.

ETCOG Allocates $81,429.64 to East Texas Projects for Solid Waste Reduction Efforts

By East Texas Council of Governments • February 3, 2025
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 
A train track that is going through a small town

TxCDBG Announcement: Applications Available for 2025 Downtown Revitalization Program

By Texas Department of Agriculture • January 29, 2025
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 .

ETCOG Requests Nominations from the Public for Regional Service Awards

By East Texas Council of Governments • January 9, 2025
Nominations are Due by Monday, February 10, 2025

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

By ETCOG Public Safety • December 17, 2024
39 Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Grant Projects Funded to Improve Public Safety and Support Victims of Crime

ETCOG Wins 23rd Consecutive Financial Excellence Award

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 10, 2024
ETCOG Awarded for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 23 Consecutive Years

$1.75M in Emergency Radio Infrastructure Grants Approved for East Texas

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 10, 2024
Four Critical Projects Funded to Improve Radio Interoperability
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