News Release
For Immediate Release

SHERMAN, February 20, 2015 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today that The TCOG Planning and Development Department staff, along with city staff from the City of Whitewright visited the Region 6 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office recently to meet with EPA, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) staff and officials with the goal of strengthening relationships and increasing awareness of the Texoma region. In particular, the discussions focused on the current Brownfields initiative between TCOG, the City of Whitewright and Weaver Boos Consultants. The meeting focused on land reuse and development of potential Brownfield sites. Dr. Thomas stated, “These efforts have the potential to return these sites to productivity and generate revenue, as well as return them to the local tax rolls.”

Following the meeting, ATSDR and TAB representatives and City of Whitewright and TCOG staff toured the City of Whitewright on a bus provided by Texoma Area Paratransit Systems (TAPS.) Possible Brownfield sites were identified during the tour that will need to be examined further. Depending on the outcomes of Whitewright’s re-visioning plan, TAB and ATSDRs National Brownfields/Land Reuse Initiative Steering Committee will assist as needed by identifying resources to accomplish the goals set forth in the plan. TCOG is committed to regional planning and is constantly looking to improve the quality of life for our regional citizens and the communities they live in.

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.