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Identifying Broadband Needs in Rural Texas

San Angelo, TX (November 6, 2019) - Last week, Jennifer Harris, Connected Nation Texas State Program Director, attended the 26th Annual Texas Midwest Community Network Conference in San Angelo, Texas. Harris was chosen to give a special address focused on identifying broadband (high-speed internet) needs and connecting Texas communities.

The Texas Midwest Community Network (TMCN) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1994 to promote a regional approach in providing needed resources and awareness for its members to achieve economic and community growth. TMCN holds several membership meetings throughout the year as well as a daylong Annual Conference that is held in October with education tracts for city officials, economic development professionals, and chamber representatives.

This year, the 2019 conference theme was “We Are Rural: Cultivating, Innovating, And Collaborating!” Harris contributed her knowledge on rural broadband development to TMCN members to encourage more discussion about broadband expansion in rural Texas communities.

“When we go into a community we invite all of the internet service providers, chamber members, city officials, stakeholders, and anyone else who wants to join our conversation to discuss better broadband access solutions,” she said.

CN Texas is working hard to connect its rural communities and, as part of that work, the nonprofit is trying to identify a total of 23 communities that are looking to develop a Technology Action Plan through the Connected Community Engagement Program to improve broadband. . Funding for those Connected communities has already been secured. The first to be named was Rains County, Texas which was officially launched on November 5.

“It was great to speak to such an engaged audience in San Angelo. I appreciate the communities that have reached out about potential partnerships with Connected Nation Texas and I look forward to hearing from more,” said Harris.

About Connected Nation Texas: CN Texas is a local division 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.