In a landmark step toward closing the digital divide, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced an initial round of grant funding worth approximately $18.5 million to benefit 17 counties across Texas through the Texas Broadband Pole Replacement Program. This funding, designed to boost broadband deployment in rural and underserved areas, will partially reimburse grant recipients who have replaced over 11,000 utility poles that now support broadband infrastructure.
The initiative, overseen by the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO), aims to reduce the cost barriers associated with expanding broadband infrastructure in rural communities. “Our agency is awarding this critical funding under our legislative directive to connect every Texan to broadband service,” said Hegar. “Ensuring all Texans have access to reliable, high-speed internet is important for Texas’ continued economic growth and prosperity.” The BDO, which operates under the Texas Comptroller’s office, was established to identify and address broadband accessibility issues across the state.
The Texas Broadband Pole Replacement Program was developed in response to legislation passed in 2023, calling for robust support for broadband deployment, particularly in regions where traditional connectivity methods are economically challenging. This funding enables internet service providers to replace older poles, making way for newer infrastructure capable of supporting high-speed broadband. By reducing the cost of these upgrades, the program helps close the connectivity gap that has left many rural Texans without reliable internet access.
For rural communities, this investment represents more than just improved connectivity; it is also a lifeline for economic opportunity. According to a recent report from the Texas Rural Funders, nearly 1.8 million rural Texans currently lack access to reliable internet, hampering economic development, educational opportunities, and access to healthcare services in these regions. “Access to high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” said Jennifer Harris, State Program Director for Connected Nation Texas, an organization focused on broadband advocacy. “This grant funding will directly impact the lives of Texans in underserved areas, providing the infrastructure needed to connect homes, schools, and businesses.”
Among the counties set to benefit from this initial funding are rural regions in East and West Texas that face unique geographic and logistical challenges. The funding will help alleviate some of these barriers by making infrastructure improvements feasible for broadband providers. Hegar’s office emphasized that this program marks only the beginning of broader efforts to achieve universal broadband access across the state, with additional funding expected to roll out in the coming years.
Hegar also pointed to the economic potential of expanding broadband access to every Texan. “As we work to expand high-speed internet, we’re also investing in the future of our communities and the economic prosperity of our state,” he said. “Broadband access empowers people to pursue remote work, improves educational resources, and enhances healthcare accessibility, all of which are foundational to a thriving Texas.”
The Texas Broadband Development Office plans to closely monitor the program’s progress and work with local stakeholders to assess additional needs and potential challenges in broadband expansion. As the state pushes forward with its broadband initiatives, it is also poised to receive significant funding from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, further supporting Texas’s mission to connect every corner of the state.
