East Texas Council of Governments

We want to congratulate Wendi Horst on 10 years of service this month! Wendi is the ETCOG Director of Operations and oversees the team managing our budget, audits, and transactions for over 100 funding streams. Thank you, Wendi, for all you do!

The Workforce Solutions East Texas Newsletter, "The Solution," is out for the month! This comprehensive feature includes workforce, vocational rehabilitation, childcare services, and additional resources, extending our outreach in East Texas. In this issue: labor market data, veteran services, event recaps, CCS opportunities, and more! View the November newsletter → https://conta.cc/4eA1JFC

At ETCOG, we take pride in continuously striving for excellence! We're thrilled to support our Executive Director, David Cleveland, and Assistant Executive Director, Brandy Brannon, as they work to complete the prestigious Certified Public Manager program at Texas State University in partnership with the Texas Association of Regional Councils. Their dedication reflects our commitment to growth, leadership, and serving our communities at the highest level! ????

?? Grant Opportunity Alert ?? The Community Development Fund is offering grants of up to $750,000 to support construction and improvement projects in eligible communities! Projects may include water system planning, parks and recreation facilities, transportation systems, and more. Don’t miss out—applications are due by December 6th! Scoring for the Community Development Fund is guided by the TxCDBG Action Plan. Find out more at → https://ow.ly/hClt50U7pXl

Join us in welcoming the newest members of our Solid Waste Advisory Committee, recently approved by our Executive Committee! ?? Congratulations to Tim Whitley, Judge Andy Reese, and Zach Korthals—we’re excited to have you on the team and look forward to your contributions! ??

Medicare Open Enrollment is here until December 7! Our Certified Benefits Counselors are available to meet with you privately to review your coverage and make any necessary changes. Schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable counselors today—we’re here to help you find the best coverage to fit your needs! ??? https://lnkd.in/g2ekYqqS ?? 1-800-442-8845 or 903-218-6500!

Help us congratulate these five incredible employees who are celebrating work anniversaries in November! ?????? Your commitment to the region is appreciated. Thank you for all you do!

Last week, the ETCOG Executive Committee held its monthly meeting under new leadership! Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn chaired his first meeting as the head of the ETCOG EC! ?? This committee meets monthly to implement the Board of Directors' programs and policies, authorize funds and contracts, and decide on grant applications. We appreciate their dedication and collaboration, driving progress across the East Texas region.

?? Wrapping Up a Remarkable Year! ?? At our recent Board of Directors Meeting, we proudly shared our "End of Year Wrap-Up Video," celebrating the incredible achievements of the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas, our Public Safety team, GoBus, Workforce Solutions East Texas, and ETCOG. It's been a year of impactful growth and meaningful accomplishments, from providing essential transportation to empowering our workforce and supporting East Texas communities. Check out the video to see what we’ve achieved together! Watch here → https://lnkd.in/gsvarE_h

Thank you to all the employers and attendees who visited the Hiring Red, White & You! event! ?? We had an incredible turnout, and it’s always a privilege to support our local veterans and job seekers across East Texas. We're grateful to everyone who helped make this event a success!