Zapata, TX—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced  $10,406,542 in federal funds to deploy broadband in Zapata and Webb Counties. These funds, awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Re-Connect Loan and Grant Combination Program, will be used to develop a fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network, serving 5,153 households, 15 educational facilities, and 10 community facilities spread over 938 square miles.

Congressman Cuellar, the USDA, and Zapata and Webb County officials will hold a press conference to discuss this funding in the near future.

“High-speed broadband is critical for a community’s growth and prosperity, yet many of our neighbors are unable to obtain reliable access,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This federal investment will be used to improve internet speeds for schools, home, and businesses, bringing new economic development opportunities to our communities. As a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, I will continue to fund programs that close the digital divide between urban and rural America because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives. I would like to thank Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, Zapata And Webb County Commissioners, and the rest of their staff for the dedication to providing broadband access to all of their residents.”

As a senior member the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $550,000,000 for the Re-Connect Program in this year’s final spending bill. He also supported adding language in the measure which targets funding to areas of the country with the largest broadband coverage gaps.  The language specifically directs federal resources to increase access to broadband connectivity in unserved and underserved rural communities like those in Zapata and Webb Counties.

USDA Rural Development’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Combination program provides loans and grants to funds the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in rural areas. Specifically, this funding will be allocated to Hillary Communications, a broadband service provider in Zapata and Webb county, through a grant for $5,203,271 and a loan for $5,203,271. This project, which will start May 2021, is a part of a larger broadband development project along the South Texas border, from Webb to Hidalgo Counties.