More than $113 million in grants was awarded yesterday under the Texas Middle Mile (TMM) Program, the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) announced.
The grants are designed to help strengthen broadband connectivity across the Longhorn state. Funding comes from the state’s broadband infrastructure fund. In 2023, the Texas legislature allocated $1.5 billion to the fund, including $200 million for the TMM Program, which focuses on expanding critical middle‑mile infrastructure that connects backbone networks to last‑mile providers.
By expanding this infrastructure, the program is designed to help ease infrastructure gaps in the state’s rural and underserved regions. Another benefit is strengthened network resiliency thanks to better ability to withstand weather‑related and environmental risks, ensuring continuous and stable service.
The announcement noted other benefits of the TMM program:
- Enhanced affordability by encouraging open‑access, cost‑efficient networks that foster competition among providers and create long‑term affordability for consumers.
- Support of public safety and emergency preparedness by expanding infrastructure that can support early flood‑warning systems, improve emergency communications, and enhance statewide disaster resiliency.
“Middle0mile infrastructure plays a foundational role in enabling high‑capacity, high‑speed connectivity and ensuring network resiliency,” according to the Texas BDO. “The awarded projects will strengthen Texas’ statewide broadband foundation and further ensure all Texans have access to high-speed internet.”
Awardees for the Texas middle-mile grants include:
- City of Brownsville: $21,926,016 for 131 miles of fiber in Cameron County
- City of Kerrville (d.b.a. Kerrville Public Utility Board): $14,797,487 for 11 miles in Kerr County
- Reeves County: $15,442,296 for 85 miles in Reeves County
- Zayo Group, LLC: $21,991,147 for 120 miles in Falls, McLennan, Milam, and Williamson counties
- Zayo Group, LLC: $39,072,176 for 485 miles in Carson, Childress, Clay, Collingsworth, Dallam, Denton, Gray, Hardeman, Hartley, Montague, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Randall, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, and Wise counties
These awards come not long after a $29 million middle-mile grant awarded to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to enlarge broadband access in rural communities and enhance flood monitoring systems across central Texas.
Additional information about Texas broadband, including state funding resources, BEAD news, awards made, state-specific coverage, and more may be found on the Telecompetitor Broadband Nation webpage for the state.
