Heart of Texas Council of Governments

Heart of Texas State Planning Region (11)

The Heart of Texas Council of Governments (HOTCOG) serves a six-county area, truly in the heart of Texas with offices in Waco. For over 27 years, HOTCOG has actively provided a forum for local governments to resolve problems that transcend political boundaries and their existing capabilities. Created in 1967, HOTCOG operates under state enabling legislation as a voluntary association of local governments with a primary mission of providing an array of services to its member governments. With over 80 member governments cooperating, HOTCOG serves as a regional planning body in functional areas such as aging, community and economic development, criminal justice, job training, solid waste and 9-1-1 emergency services. HOTCOG provides a variety of training and technical assistance services to enhance the capability of local governments and to increase the quality of services to the citizens of the region. HOTCOG sponsors training for newly elected officials and provides special workshops for city and county officials on emerging issues in our region. HOTCOG also serves as a resource for its member governments in accessing information from federal and state government. HOTCOG is designated as the regional data affiliate for information from the U.S. Department of Census and also serves as the regional clearinghouse for federal and state grant information.