BEAUMONT, Texas — Southeast Texas residents will have the chance to share their opinions on a plan to expand high-speed internet access in rural areas.
The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO), which is operated by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is doing an online survey to get input from Texans about their new Texas Digital Opportunity Plan.
The plan will make it easier for all Texans to access the internet, specifically in rural areas and unserved parts of the state. This will help expand residents' educational, work and healthcare opportunities, according to a BDO news release.
From now until January 5, 2024, Texans can participate in the survey by filling out a form on their website.
SHARE YOUR OPINON | Fill out the survey here
Almost 2.8 million households and 7 million people in the state lack access to broadband, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau shared in the release.
"Historically, the digital divide in Texas has disproportionately left out rural communities, communities of color and low-income families, according to a 2016 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas report," said the release.
Bridging the digital divide is important in this increasingly online world.
The BDO is partnering with organizations like the Texas Workforce Commission, chambers of commerce, elected officials, educational institutions and industry associations to show how high-speed internet can help Texans realize their economic potential.
The state has $4 billion to spend and once it's spent, it's gone.
"We've got this once, one time opportunity to access these billions of dollars. And get it right. And make sure that every Texan has connection to the internet and all the benefits it can bring," said Executive Director of Deep East Texas Council of Governments Lonnie Hunt.
The desperate need for high-speed internet in rural communities became apparent during the pandemic.
Children faced problems trying to do online schoolwork from home.
"The State of Texas invested millions and millions of dollars to provide hotspots for kids to be able to get online and do online learning... Well that worked well in Dallas or Houston... but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to get out and venture out very far in their vehicle, off the main highways of east Texas and figure out, we don't have cellphone service," said Hunt.
Not having broadband can also become a healthcare issue, according to Hunt.
"Our health is poor. Part of the problem is a lack of doctors. A lack of medical providers. Too many of our people have to drive long distances to get good health care, and telemedicine can be the answer to that," he said.
Taking this survey and provided your input can help the state determine where the problems are and what needs to be spent to fix them.