Plans are underway to expand broadband access in Hardeman County
Hardeman County, Texas (October 15, 2021) – The Hardeman County Broadband Committee is ready to expand broadband access in the county and is planning a kickoff meeting to get the project started. Plans to develop a Technology Action Plan will begin with a community-wide broadband survey which captures feedback from residents, businesses, and organizations throughout Hardeman County. The Broadband Committee is made up of local stakeholders and will work closely with Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas).
The Hardeman Committee is hosting a community kick-off event on Monday, November 1, at 6:00pm, at the Three Rivers Foundation Foyer, 216 E. Main Street, Quanah, TX 79252.
Attendees will get a chance to learn more about broadband access in Hardeman County, the CN Texas’ Connected Communities program, the Technology Action Plan timeline, and will be able to fill out surveys and ask questions.
Hardeman County is one of seven communities in the region selected to receive funding from The Priddy Foundation, headquartered in Wichita Falls, Texas. Project funding will be used to begin work on expanding broadband access, adoption, and use within the county.
“Most people don’t know how important reliable internet is for public safety,” says Hardeman County Sheriff, Pat Laughery. “Our 911 system is run off of the internet, and when we lose internet, we lose everything.”
The Hardeman County Broadband Committee is asking residents and organizations to take 10 minutes and fill out this short survey:
https://www.myconnectedcommunity.org/hardeman-county
Simply choose the survey category or categories that represent you or your organization.
The goal of the survey is to identify unique challenges and opportunities for expanding high-speed internet in Hardeman County so that every family, business, and community organization can access the critical resources needed to be connected. Hardeman County will work with CN Texas to help close the Digital Divide within the community. The project will have no cost to the county.
“We were already looking at ways to improve internet in Hardeman County, so this assessment comes at a perfect time for us,” said Hardeman County Judge, Ronnie Ingram. “We are looking forward to finding out what we can do to improve connectivity.”
The Technology Action Plan will be developed by leveraging Connected Nation’s Connected Community Engagement Program and will be shaped by the information provided by local stakeholders. For that reason, it’s important to include as much information as possible so that no area is left out of this plan.
The Connected Program has been used in nearly 650 communities across the country to develop county or regional Technology Action Plans that have both short term and long-term broadband solutions.
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 Priddy Foundation: The mission of the Priddy Foundation is dedicated to the support of programs in human services, education, the arts, and health, which offer significant potential for individual development and community improvement throughout Northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma. More information can be found at: https://priddyfdn.org/