News Headlines

DETCOG executive tells board region is attempting to emerge from recession

At the DETCOG board of directors meeting in San Augustine last week, executive director Walter Diggles told the gathering the 12-county region is struggling to emerge from the recent "Great Recession".

 

Diggles said slow and steady job growth and population in the deep east Texas region the first decade of the century peaked in 2011.

 

Since that time, Census estimates are showing the population has dropped by more than 2,000. He added job reports are showing a similar trend.

 

Diggles added sales tax allocations are also showing a recent downturn to the tune of an $85 million drop in taxable sales in the 12-counties from 2013 to 2014.

 

Diggles told the board DETCOG does not want to wait until 2020 to start doing something. He said the COG plans to expand its Economic Development efforts this year and encourage the cities and counties in the region to focus on helping their local businesses create jobs.

 

The Deep East Texas Council of Governments region covers 12 counties. Those counties are Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler.

 

Roughriders Sports

Family Features

Loading Family Features Content Widget
Loading Family Features Article