SHERMAN, August 13, 2026 – The Texoma Council of Governments has been awarded funding through the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance Grant Program to expand financial assistance and supportive services for veterans and surviving spouses across the Texoma region.

The grant will enable TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging to provide direct financial assistance and coordinated support to economically vulnerable older veterans and surviving spouses residing in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties.  Eligible assistance may include help with rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, transportation, funeral expenses, and restorative dental care.

“Veterans have given so much in service to our country and we want to make sure that service is honored by helping them remain safe, stable and independent in their own communities,” said Cara Lavender, TCOG’s Aging Services Director. “This grant gives us another important tool to respond when an older veteran or surviving spouse is facing a financial crisis and needs assistance to get back on stable ground.”

The program will place particular emphasis on veterans who are low-income, disabled or homebound, lack family support, or live in rural areas where access to assistance can be more difficult.  TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging has long worked to promote independence and coordinate services for older adults throughout the three-county region.

“We are grateful to the Texas Veterans Commission for recognizing the needs of veterans in the Texoma region and for investing in a local solution,” said Eric Bridges, TCOG Executive Director. ”  TCOG’s mission in fundamentally about improving quality of life, and helping veterans who have served our nation is a natural extension of that commitment.  This partnership allows us to bring resources directly to the people and communities that need them most.”

TCOG is a voluntary association of local governments serving Cooke, Fannin and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, TCOG provides a broad range of human services, community and economic development, public safety, aging, housing and other programs designed to improve the quality of life throughout the Texoma region.

For Immediate Release

2027 TxCDBG Regional Project Priorities

SHERMAN, June 22, 2026 – Eric Bridges, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today an invitation to local elected officials, community stakeholders, and residents to participate in a public meeting to help establish regional project priorities for the 2027 Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 5:30p in the Eisenhower Room on the first floor of the TCOG building, 1117 Gallagher Drive, Sherman, TX.

Mr. Bridges stated, “The meeting will provide an opportunity for participants to offer input on the types of community development projects that should receive regional priority consideration during the upcoming funding cycle.”

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

The event is open to all residents of Cooke, Grayson, and Fannin Counties – so gather those household chemicals, old paint, and cleaners and dispose of them safely and responsibly.

TCOG to Host Texoma Made 2025

SHERMAN, September 19, 2025 – Eric Bridges, Executive Director of the Texoma Council of Governments announced today that Texoma Made 2025, a premier learning and networking event for business leaders, city officials, educators, and changemakers shaping the future of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma will take place from 8a to 4p on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Austin College in Sherman.

“Our objective with Texoma Made 2025,” said Mr. Bridges “is to equip leaders with strategies, resources, and partnerships that strengthen economic resilience, promote our region, and drive innovations. With rapid growth in advanced manufacturing, workforce demand, and business development – alongside rising housing and infrastructure pressures – communities must act now to plan for a sustainable future.  By combining actionable strategies, expert insights, and cross-sector collaboration, Texoma Made 2025 will equip community leaders with the tools to turn lessons from resilience into measurable progress across Texoma.”

Texoma Made 2025 is funded in part by a grant from the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) with additional support from Hot 107.3 FM, First United Bank, Texoma HR, and Huitt-Zollars.  For additional event details, including how to register, go to www.texomamadeconference.com

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Both directly and through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

A. FY 2025 CDBG Funding:

HUD has released the formula allocation amounts for CDBG programs.  For FY25 (a continuing resolution from the FY24 appropriation) TxCDBG was allocated $71,178,309, a slight increase from the previous year.

• Based on this final number, TDA has invited 14 additional applicants to complete Community Development Fund Project Applications.  These applicants were notified last week, and an updated roster of applications by region has been posted to the TDA website.  All other applicants for the CDV 2025-2026 application cycle will remain on the wait list pending FY2026 appropriation information.
• TDA also issued Project Application invitations to 11 applicants for the 2025 Downtown Revitalization Program.  Selected applicants have been highlighted on the score sheet posted to the TDA website.
• Training opportunities for these applicants are posted to the TDA website.

B. 2025 Income Limits:

2025 Income Limits

HUD has released updated income limits, effective June 1, 2025.  TDA has posted the 2025 Survey Questionnaires with updated income categories to the TDA website.

All survey questionnaires dated June 1, 2025, or later must use the updated income limits.  Questionnaires completed prior to June 1 should use the income limits in effect on the date of the questionnaire – for surveys currently underway, do not repeat survey questionnaires completed before June 1 based solely on the new income limits.

Tomorrow’s session will be an in depth discussion of how grant amendments impact a project’s beneficiaries.

The CDBG Over Coffee sessions are brief trainings on a specific topic – watch the TDA Training and Events website for topics to be announced.

 This current funding round is only for local governments and not states.

The entities eligible to apply for the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Communities are political subdivisions of states and territories. EPA considers counties, cities, towns, parishes, and similar units of governments that have executive and legislative functions to be political subdivisions of states and territories.

 The total estimated funding for this competitive grant is approximately $58,000,000. The EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20 to 30 assistance agreements, with at least one award per EPA Region, depending on the quantity and quality of applications received. The minimum individual award amount is $500,000 and the maximum individual award is $5,000,000 for the grant period, which is up to three years.

Projects must achieve one or more of the following:

• Establish, increase, expand, or optimize collection and improve materials management infrastructure.
• Fund the creation and construction of tangible infrastructure, technology, or other improvements to reduce contamination in the recycled materials stream.
• Establish, increase, expand, or optimize capacity for materials management.
• Establish, improve, expand, or optimize end-markets for the use of recycled commodities.
• Demonstrate a significant and measurable increase in the diversion, recycling rate, and quality of materials collected for municipal solid waste.

See EPA’s website for eligible project examples and webinar recordings about the grant opportunity.

First Webinar Details:

• Date: October 29, 2024
• Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
• Registration Link: October 29th Webinar Registration Link

 Second Webinar Details:

• Date: November 12, 2024
• Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
• Registration Link: November 12th Webinar Registration Link

 Third Webinar Details:

• Date: December 3, 2024
• Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
• Registration Link: December 3rd Webinar Registration Link

Key Topics to be Covered:

• Overview of the new reporting requirements: Annual Reporting Requirement: Scrap Tire Generators and Land Reclamation Projects Using Tires
• Step-by-step guidance on completing the annual reports in STEERS

*Important Note: Prior to attending the training webinar, please ensure you watch the attached video and set up your STEERS account. This will help you follow along more effectively during the session. How to Setup an Account in STEERS (youtube.com)

Your participation is highly encouraged to ensure a smooth transition to the new reporting requirements. Remember you must report by December 31, 2024.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Texoma Council of Governments has recently received a Contract award from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the Weatherization Assistance Program.  Accordingly, Texoma Council of Governments seeks to contract with a qualified contractor, registered to work in the State of Texas.

A bid packet is available for download here or by contacting the individual listed below.

Texoma Council of Governments must receive proposals no later than 3:00p CST, October 17, 2024 to be considered.  Bids received late or incomplete will not be considered.  Texoma Council of Governments reserves the right to negotiate with any and all individuals or contractors that submit proposals, as per the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act and the Uniform Grant and Contract Management Standards.

Attendees will gain insight about “Age-Friendly” Healthcare, clinical dementia screenings, how mood correlates with cognition, and best practices for utilizing medications as we age.  Participants will leave feeling informed and empowered to manage their own care or that of their loved ones, now, or in the future.

This symposium is free and open to the public.  Lunch will be provided.  RSVP is requested by September 6th, 2024.