Rural Texans, internet providers worry that feds’ broadband expansion plan will have a painfully slow rollout
By Pooja Salhotra, The Texas Tribune Feb. 14, 2024 “Rural Texans, internet providers worry that feds’ broadband expansion plan will have a painfully slow rollout” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Texas is poised to receive more than $3.3 billion in federal money...
Rural Texas May Lose Out On Billions In Broadband Infrastructure Funding Due To Federal Regulations
When Texas was awarded $3.3 billion in federal money last month toward expanding broadband infrastructure across the state, government leaders and telecommunication companies celebrated the news. With over 7 million residents disconnected from the rest of the World Wide Web, Texas’ broadband needs were no secret. With the federal funds, along with $1.5 billion from the state’s wallet, rural and underserved Texas communities finally...
Broadband Expansion, Final Plat, Software Agreement Approved By Commissioners Court
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday, April 25, 2022, considered requests to expand broadband further into the county, for a final plat, a software agreement and asset disposal. Hopkins County Commissioners Court Broadband Expansion As part of the consent agenda, the Commissioners Court agreed to one request from Frontier Communications and two requests from Spectrum/Charter which would allow the businesses to expand services...
Officials Hosting Texas Broadband Listening Tour To Gauge Needs, Input Across State
Want to help develop the state’s first broadband plan? State officials are seeking comments, asking Texas residents over the next two months to share their opinions and input about broadband in their communities, to help better develop a state plan to make broadband more accessible to more Texans. The information will be used by Texas Broadband Development Office, established by House Bill 5 (PDF) in the 87th Legislative...
Texas Set To Receive $3.3 Billion In Federal Funds
Texas is set to receive more than $3.3 billon in Federal money, the most of any state, to help in the expansion of broadband availability statewide, the Biden Administration announced on Monday. The money will be distributed from the $42.45 billion in the broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program as part of president Joe Biden’s 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funds aim to connect more than 8.5 million households...
Texas Comptroller Certifies New $321.3 Billion State Spending Plan, Sends To Abbott’s Desk
June 8, 2023- The $321.3 Billion spending plan that Texas lawmakers have approved for the next two years is balanced and on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after it was certified Wednesday by the state’s chief financial officer, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Before Abbott can review the budget that will direct the state’s spending for the next two years, the comptroller had to certify that the 1,115-page plan doesn’t spend more...
Meet & Greet Rally Hosted For Mike Collier, Democratic Candidate For Lt. Governor
A meet and greet rally was hosted Tuesday at Sulphur Springs Country Club for Mike Collier, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. Democrats from Hopkins and surrounding counties attended, including Wood, Hunt, Lamar, Titus, Rains and Rockwall counties. Mike Collier, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor One woman from Hunt County brought to the Sept. 27, 2022 rally a pooch she introducted as ” the official canine...
SSISD To Consider Amending 313 Agreement With 1 Solar Group, Application From Another
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees will consider amending a 313 agreement with one solar group and an application from another during the regular meeting Monday evening. SSISD logo Also on the May 9 agenda for approval are budget revisions for American Rescue Plan Supplemental Grant Funding, a Quality Improvement Application, a proposal or improvements to the high school student parking are, instructional materials allotment TEKS...
Local Community Participation Needed in Childress County Survey About Internet Connectivity
Childress County, Texas (January 24, 2022) – The Childress County Broadband Committee needs to hear from you! Childress County residents, business owners, ranchers, ag-producers, first responders, and local officials are invited to participate in a 10-minute survey designed to assess internet needs and uses throughout the county. You can answer in as many categories as apply to you. Survey data will contribute to a community action...
$7 Million In ARP Funding Dedicated To NETEX, Communications Tower, Road Equipment, Salaries, Trustee Housing Facility, Retainage
Hopkins County Commissioners Court, in a special session Tuesday afternoon, committed the just over $7 million in ARP (American Rescue Plan) funding which has been allocated to the county toward 6 purposes: to assist NETEX, a communications tower, road equipment, salary replacement, a trustee facility and retainage. The Court also approved a security proposal and budget amendments for insurance proceeds received. American Rescue Plan...