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Outreach: News and Events
Monthly Roundtables
(All times are in Central Time.)
- Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. — Industry Roundtable (Teams)
- Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. — Local Government and Community Roundtable (Teams)
Upcoming Events
- Aug. 22 — Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Application Challenge Submission Period closed.
- Aug. 22 — Texas Middle Mile (TMM) Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) published.
- Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. — Deadline to submit questions regarding the TMM Program NOFA.
- Oct. 27 — Texas’ BEAD Final Proposal due.
- Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. — Deadline to submit applications to the TMM Program.
BEAD Program Updates
The Broadband Development Office (BDO) has closed the Benefit of the Bargain Round (BOBR), receiving a total of 4,539 applications from 70 applicants. Notably, the office received at least one application for 98 percent of all project area units. Overall, $6.4 billion in BEAD funding has been requested across all submissions. Next, to ensure universal coverage, the BDO will soon solicit bids from eligible applicants to expand coverage to eligible locations that did not apply during the BOBR.
Through the BDO’s partnership with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which administers the BEAD Program, NTIA staff were informed of the office’s program implementation. The BDO shared potential barriers that may prevent the state from meeting the Sept. 4 deadline for Final Proposal submission, including a state-mandated challenge process and a high volume of applications to review, deconflict and evaluate. The BDO submitted an extension request to fully implement NTIA’s guidance and comply with state statute. NTIA approved a due date extension of Oct. 27. This extension will allow the BDO to successfully implement the BEAD Program in Texas. The BDO appreciates NTIA’s thoughtful consideration and response to the request.
BDO Publishes Texas Middle Mile (TMM) Program NOFA
The BDO published the TMM Program NOFA on Aug. 22 and has allocated up to $200 million from the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Fund (BIF). The program aims to support projects that enhance network resiliency, foster open-access networks to increase affordability for end users and improve high-speed internet access in unserved and underserved areas. The TMM Program will incentivize projects to include infrastructure enhancements that will directly support or integrate with flood detection and monitoring systems in vulnerable areas. All eligible applicants, including river authorities, are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 20.
Clarifying questions regarding the TMM Program NOFA must be submitted in writing to bdo.nofa@cpa.texas.gov by 2 p.m. Sept. 5. For further details, please visit the TMM Program webpage.
New Technical Assistance Program Reports Posted
Four County Broadband Plans have been posted on the BDO’s website. These plans were created as a part of the BDO’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP). They aim to improve local governments understanding of their unique broadband needs, highlight local strategies designed to improve broadband access and address the specific needs of each county. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the TAP webpage to review these plans and stay informed about the office’s efforts to bridge the digital divide in Texas.
Building the Texas Broadband Workforce Grant Program
On July 31, the BDO closed the application window for the Building the Texas Broadband Workforce Grant Program, a $25 million competitive grant program designed to award applicants grant funds to establish or augment fiber optic training facilities to certify Texans and support the state’s workforce initiatives. The BDO received a total of 19 applications for the program with approximately $61 million in funding requested. The office is evaluating applications and plans to announce awards this fall.
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