Federal Money Remains an Avenue for Connectivity Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its third round of ReConnect funding that will benefit rural areas in Texas and across the U.S. by helping establish high-speed Internet in underserved areas. The funding is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

A $9.8 million rural development investment will deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 647 people, 19 businesses and 151 farms in Lampasas and San Saba counties, according to USDA documentation.

A $16.6 million investment in multiple counties in the Lubbock area will connect 1,402 people, 50 businesses, 712 farms and four public schools. The counties are Bailey, Cochran, Hockley, Lamb and Parmer.

“High-speed Internet will improve the rural economy. It will help rural businesses grow and get access to new markets,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the news release. “It will help rural residents get access to more and better health care and educational opportunities. USDA knows rural America is America’s backbone, and prosperity here means prosperity for all.”

Meanwhile, Texas municipalities including cities, counties and school districts continue to move forward on solutions for access, using funds from their own budgets, partnerships and already available grants.

Jefferson County, whose county seat is Beaumont, announced that Spectrum has completed a high-speed broadband project to provide connectivity to more than 2,670 homes and small businesses in the county’s rural areas. The funding for Spectrum Internet Gig is in part from the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and the company’s own investments.

In Denton County, municipalities comprising the “Lake Cities” announced that Pavlov Media has been chosen to build a fiber network. Corinth, Hickory Creek and Shady Shores worked last year with Connected Nation, Texas, to map broadband assets, and the cities went through a recent bid process. The company is tasked with having all anchor facilities connected within a year.

“Providing high-speed fiber networks has been a priority for the Lake Cities for many years. We are extremely excited to begin the broadband project,” said Corinth Mayor Bill Heidemann in the news release. “This project will greatly benefit our current residents and generations to come.”

Counties now seeking community input include Ellis and Cameron counties, both with active surveys online. Ellis County is working with Connected Nation, which has completed a broadband map of all Texas.