Top navigation skipped
Outreach: News and Events
Key Dates and Upcoming Events
(All times are in Central Time.)
- June 28 – Technical Assistance Program (TAP) Applications Due
- June 25 – *Combined Industry and Local Government Roundtable, 3 p.m.
*Roundtables will be combined this month because state offices will close July 4 and 5 to observe Independence Day.
- July 30 – Industry Roundtable, 3 p.m.
- Aug. 1 – Local Government and Community Roundtable, 10 a.m.
BDO Notifies Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) Awardees
The Broadband Development Office (BDO) is pleased to announce that awarded BOOT applicants were notified on June 3, 2024. The BDO awarded 21 applications that will connect 1,825 locations in Texas using $12.3 million in funding. Awardees have 30 days to execute BOOT agreements. The list of awardees will be posted online once all the necessary grant agreements are signed. This significant milestone marks a crucial step forward in the ongoing effort to bridge the digital divide in Texas.
Using lessons learned to improve our processes, the BDO team is actively working on establishing a second round of BOOT funding.
TAP Application Period Opens
The BDO will accept applications from certified Broadband Planning Committees (PDF) for TAP through Friday, June 28. The goal of TAP is to support counties in Texas by offering technical assistance with identifying broadband development goals and preparing for upcoming state and federal funding opportunities. Awarded counties will exit the program with a comprehensive broadband plan, complete with practical steps to reach their broadband objectives. Only applications from previously certified Broadband Planning Committees will be considered.
Explore additional program details and resources.
BDO submits State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (SDECGP) Application
The BDO applied to the SDECGP on May 28. Texas was allocated $55.6 million to implement the digital opportunity initiatives identified in the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) expects to begin issuing awards to eligible states no later than Aug. 28, and make additional awards on a rolling basis.
SDECGP funds will be used to expand broadband connections and digital literacy across the state, with programs tentatively beginning in late 2024 or early 2025.
More information about how Texas plans to administer the SDECGP awards, including details on how potential subgrantees can apply for funding, is forthcoming.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Grant Management Vendor Selection
The BDO closed its solicitation for a grant management vendor to help manage the Texas BEAD Program. Once the new vendor is selected, the BDO will share specifics about the Texas BEAD challenge process, projected to start later this summer.
NTIA has provided the office with additional information regarding validating challenge results. Coupled with the expertise of a grant management vendor, these measures will help the BDO smoothly execute the Texas BEAD challenge process.
Need assistance?
If your question is not addressed here, Email us.