The Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Economic Development District is a voluntary association of local governments in the 11-county region encompassing all of Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties. We are one of the largest rural COGs in the nation. At 9,413 square miles, the DETCOG region is larger than the states of New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island. Our 2019 population was 339,125. DETCOG is both a political subdivision of the State of Texas and a federally chartered Economic Development District. We are one of 24 regional councils of governments in Texas. We were founded to facilitate planning, eliminate duplication, and promote economy and efficiency in the coordinated development of our region. While we are a governmental agency, we have no taxing or ordinance-making authority. We are governed by a diverse 53-member Board of Directors representing the population we serve. As law requires, more than two-thirds of our board members are elected officials of member counties and cities. For a full description of all Programs and Services visit website detcog.gov