Local news- Press Release
Brownsville Texas - Brownsville is one step closer to closing the digital divide . 20 May 2022 ( news )
Brownsville , state Texas ( By Press Release office)
May 20,2022
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY OF BROWNSVILLE COMMISSION APPROVES PUBLIC - PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF FIBER NETWORK
Brownsville is one step closer to closing the digital divide .
BROWNSVILLE , Texas ( April 1 , 2022 ) – On Wednesday March 30 , the Brownsville City Commission unanimously approved action to enter public - private partnership negotiations for the design and construction of a citywide fiber network . This network includes a 93 - mile middle mile backbone with design to last mile fiber and will connect 32 anchor institutions including city facilities , Police , Fire , EMS , and public parks .
“Making broadband accessible and affordable for our citizens has been a priority of mine since the day I was elected . Brownsville was considered one of the least connected communities in the United States in 2018 and 2019 , and after more than two years of planning and work , we are about to change that . The middle and last mile infrastructure will enhance our community’s quality of life and create new opportunities for economic development . I look forward to seeing this project propel Brownsville into the future , ” said Mayor Trey Mendez .
The city will be utilizing $19 . 5 million in American Rescue Plan Act ( ARPA ) funding for the approved fiber network , allowing for public private partnerships to deploy last mile services . The middle mile infrastructure will create a minimum broadband capacity of 100 megabits city - wide and is projected to be completed in 24 months .
In March , the City of Brownsville was named the winner in International Data Corporation’s ( IDC ) Government Insights’ Fifth Annual Smart Cities North America Awards for Digital Equity and Accessibility for its comprehensive planning efforts to increase broadband accessibility and speed . In December of 2020 , Mayor Mendez was awarded the “Change Maker” award by New Century Cities for his work to address the digital divide in Brownsville .
For more information or to schedule media interviews , please contact the Communications and Marketing Department at communications@brownsvilletx . gov or ( 956 ) 547 - 6505 .
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