LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Arturo Olivares,

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced the State of Texas will receive $8,110,148 in its first “Internet for All” grants. These grants are for deploying high-speed internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Internet for All initiative. Texas is receiving the funds form the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.

“Whether it’s helping our children access their online assignments or connecting patients with their telehealth appointments, the Internet has become a daily part of our lives. The necessity for broadband and high-speed internet has never been greater,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last year to bridge the digital divide for those who lack reliable internet access. Today’s award is the first step in ensuring the entire State of Texas is online and prepared for the everchanging world of tomorrow.”

Texas will receive $5 million through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to fund various activities including:

Helping close the broadband availability gap and the development of a Five-Year Action Plan;
Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations;
Publications, outreach, and communications support.
The BEAD Program provides funding to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.

Additionally, Texas will receive $3,110,148.10 from the Digital Equity Act to fund various activities including:

Helping close the digital equity gap and the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan;
Soliciting proposals through a competitive procurement process and issue contracts to support the development of the state digital equity plan;
Working directly with organizations and nonprofits to reach the covered populations identified;
Fostering partnerships by holding frequent subgrantee roundtables and other engagement activities;
Establishing a digital equity planning coalition comprised of each subgrantee and potential other partners around the state.
The Digital Equity Act provides funding to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.