The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) is asking for public input on internet accessibility, affordability, and usage. The BDO, which is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is partnering with the South Plains Association of Governments locally to inform the public and collect local data. The BDO has held a series of public input meetings across the State of Texas, and is planning a session in Lubbock next week.
The South Plains Regional Meeting will be held on August 9, 2023 at Citizens Tower in downtown Lubbock from 1-3pm.
“The South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) is helping to lead the charge for this region of Texas because of how critical reliable and affordable highspeed internet is, especially in rural West Texas. This public meeting is an opportunity for residents of the South Plains to share local, on-the-ground knowledge of the availability and accessibility to broadband service. In doing so, we will be represented in the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan which will open the door to federal funding to help improve internet service in this region.” – Kelly Davila, Director of Regional Services & Economic Development for the South Plains Association of Governments “Access to reliable, high-speed internet as a means of advancing education, training, employment opportunities, health care, and delivery of essential services is critical to the future of our state,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “But we know that we can’t do this without partners in the regions and communities that need this service the most.”
Texas will receive $3.3 billion in broadband funds to finance critical broadband infrastructure projects across the state that will increase access to reliable, highspeed internet and help close the broadband availability gap in Texas. The Texas BDO divides the state into 12 economic regions and has scheduled one or two in-person meetings in each region. The Texas “High Plains” BDO Region consists of two Council of Government areas:
• Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC): 26 Counties
• South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG): 15 Counties All communities have broadband access gaps and so we want to encourage the public to attend the August 9th Broadband meeting in Lubbock to help ensure their community and our region’s broadband needs and concerns are voiced and shared with the Texas BDO.
*There are two in-person public meetings scheduled for the High-Plains BDO Region. Please register to attend via the links below.* 1. Texas BDO Regional Public Meeting – Lubbock August 9, 2023 at 1pm at City of Lubbock Citizens Tower!
2. Texas BDO Regional Public Meeting – Borger (August 10, 2023)