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Connected Nation applauds San Augustine, Texas’ resolution to become a “Broadband City”

San Augustine, Texas (July 7, 2021) – It takes a village, but in this case, it took a city. Recently, the San Augustine City Council learned the findings of a city and countywide broadband survey presented by Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas). These findings led the Council to act quickly by passing a resolution to become a Broadband City.


 “I believe great internet service could change a community overnight. Creating access to jobs, healthcare, schooling and much more that would otherwise not be available in the community,” said Mayor Leroy Hughes.  “The city and county will now work together to develop a shared service to administer our program and pursue grant funding.”


St Augustine City Council And Mayor 1024x768
Pictured: Members of San Augustine City Council, Mayor Leroy Hughes, County Judge Jeff Boyd, City Manager John Camp, and Pam Waggoner of Connected Nation


CN Texas, through its Connected Community Engagement Program, provided guidance and research for the surveys—which sought input on internet access from residents, businesses, healthcare providers, schools and libraries, and other public entities. The comprehensive findings were then used to develop a Technology Action Plan for the area.


The Connected Program has been used in nearly 650 communities across the country to develop county or regional-specific Technology Action Plans that have both short term and long-term broadband solutions. Each community is unique, with different challenges to and potential solutions for increasing broadband access, adoption, and use. However, what remains the same across each county is the need for a dedicated team supporting digital inclusion.


“We believe that by doing this San Augustine’s leadership is taking an innovative and forward-thinking step toward better connecting the city and county,” said Jennifer Harris, State Program Director, CN Texas. “The level of success in each community relies on the hard work of the people in it. This action is saying to everyone in the area that the city is determined and hyper-focused on improving broadband access which, as we all learned during the pandemic, impacts everything from local businesses to education to community organizations.”


The Texas Rural Funders and T.L.L. Temple Foundation provided funding for the project at no cost to the city or county. Additionally, CN Texas is working in 26 other communities across the state to develop similar plans thanks to financial support from the Texas Rural Funders.


For more information or if you have questions, email info@connectednation.org or head to connectednation.org/texas.


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About Connected Nation Texas: CN Texas is the statewide subsidiary of the national nonprofit Connected Nation. Our mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.


Connected Nation works with consumers, local community leaders, states, technology providers, and foundations to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered on a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. For more information, please visit: connectednation.org and follow Connected Nation on Facebook and Twitter.


About the Texas Rural Funders: The mission of the Texas Rural Funders (TRF) is to partner with rural Texans to achieve their vision of prosperity and wellbeing. The group’s strategies recognize and are informed by rural expertise and assets. The TRF leverages local, philanthropic, state, and federal resources to collaborate on projects, support local capacity and leadership, share research, convene stakeholders and engage in advocacy. More information can be found on the TRF webpage at: https://texasruralfunders.org/.