Comptroller Glenn Hegar said the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) was allocated $3.3 billion in federal funding for broadband expansion . The funds, provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, are part of the national $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The funds will finance critical infrastructure projects across the state to increase access to reliable, high-speed internet and help close the availability gap in Texas. Texas’ share was the largest of any state.
Before BDO can begin implementing the $3.3 billion in funding, it must submit a proposal to NTIA describing its BEAD-funded grant programs. This proposal will be directly informed by public feedback, which is why the BDO will continue engaging with communities across the state to ensure these funds have a meaningful impact.
Hegar expects BDO to begin accepting grant applications for the BEAD program in 2024. More information about the BEAD program and community outreach opportunities can be found here.