The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) has opened applications for the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) program’s second round of funding, for which the Broadband Development Office (BDO) is allocating up to $303.4 million.
According to a request for applications (RFA) released by CPA, BOOT is a competitive grant program designed to increase high-speed broadband connections across Texas through the funding of projects that “directly enable work, education and health monitoring, including remote options, in unserved and underserved locations throughout the state to address critical needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A total of $438.8 million has been dedicated to support BOOT, $12.3 million of which was awarded in the first round.
Commercial and non-commercial broadband service providers are eligible to apply for funding; however, projects eligible for funding are limited to broadband infrastructure projects that will provide service to all unserved and underserved serviceable locations within eligible counties.
Proposed projects must be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2026.
The minimum grant award available to recipients is $1 million; the maximum is $125 million.
A full list of entry requirements and eligible counties is available on Texas Smart Buy. Questions regarding this RFA are due via email to BDO by 2 p.m. July 19. Applications are due via email on 2 p.m. Aug. 26.
State Opens $303M Second Round of Broadband Grant Applications
Round two of the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas program has been allocated up to $303.4 million, nearly 25 times more than the first round of awarded funds.
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