BBT, a leading community-based provider in West Texas, has successfully obtained $24 million in grant funding through its ReConnect 3 Program proposal. The five-year project aims to develop a robust fiber infrastructure that will bring 1 Gbps synchronous fiber broadband speeds to several remote communities in the region.
The focal point of this fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) initiative is the construction of approximately 311 miles of fiber infrastructure in rural Presidio and Terrell Counties. The buildout plan includes extending internet connectivity to 312 locations in and around the unincorporated border communities of Candelaria, Dryden, Redford, Ruidosa, and Shafter. These areas, identified by the USDA as Socially Vulnerable as well as Frontier and Remote Areas (FAR), will greatly benefit from improved access to high-speed internet.
BBT’s partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to execute this project demonstrates their commitment to the community. By leveraging the grant funding and deploying a scalable fiber broadband network, BBT aims to empower socially vulnerable communities in some of the most remote regions of the United States. The project’s focus is to enhance digital equity and inclusion, opening new avenues for economic development, education, healthcare, and public safety.
The funding for this initiative was made possible through the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, with support from the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS). The Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program, which provided the funding, aims to improve broadband service in eligible rural areas by assisting in the construction, improvement, or acquisition of necessary facilities and equipment.
BBT, with its strong presence in West Texas for over 60 years, has been a trusted provider of telecommunications and technology services. Covering almost 18,000 square miles, including 485 miles of the border with Mexico, BBT is the sole fiber-based provider in many of the rural communities it serves.
For more information about BBT Fiber, please call 800.592.4781 or visit bigbend.com.
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