New Jobs to Create Positive Economic Impact in Region

February 23, 2017 – Dr. Susan B. Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced last week at a regularly scheduled TCOG Board meeting the award of an additional $2 million dollars in funding for TCOG’s Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) funded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), bringing total CEAP program funding to $2.7 million and total funding for all Energy Services programs to just under $4 million.

TCOG has historically administered the CEAP Program in Fannin, Grayson and Cooke counties. In October 2016, TDHCA tapped TCOG to administer the CEAP program in Collin, Denton, Hunt and Rockwall counties on an interim basis. Later in the year, TDHCA issued a Request for Application (RFA) to administer the contract in the additional counties a permanent basis. TCOG submitted an application in December and was awarded the permanent contract for all seven counties Collin, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, and Rockwall late Friday afternoon.

In response to the new contract, TCOG Board President, Judge Jason Brinkley, commented, “I think this is an exciting opportunity for TCOG, and I want to thank the staff for their continued hard work and dedication to our region.”

The CEAP Program is a utility assistance program designed to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs and to encourage consumers to control energy costs for years to come through energy education. CEAP is part of the Energy Services program at TCOG which also includes Weatherization and Case Management.

Thomas noted that the new contract amounts to more than 25% growth in TCOG revenue overall, and the CEAP money – along with growth in the Weatherization program – will enable 10% growth in staff count at the COG. “As our programs grow, our ability to improve and enhance quality of life for citizens in our region grows as well,” stated Thomas. “TCOG leads the way in the state on the administration of these energy contracts, and by being that better leader in the state, we are able to build better lives here at home in Texoma.”

In addressing the Board, Thomas also noted that the revenues from the new CEAP contract along with the existing and proposed staff increases in all TCOG programs will generate more than $1.25 million in direct, indirect, and induced economic impact for Grayson County alone.

TCOG Client Services Department Director, Allison Minton, stated, “this new contract and the growth in our Weatherization program will create six new jobs in Grayson County, put more money in the pockets of local weatherization contractors and their employees, and make life better for over 3,000 households in Texoma and beyond.” Reider discussed the economic impact on the clients as well. “These funds have a tremendous impact on the children and families who receive assistance, as each dollar they save will be added to the local economy through their ability to purchase more goods and services.”

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.