Deep East Texas council launches broadband workforce coalition

Roughly one billion federal dollars is flowing into Deep East Texas to expand high-speed internet access.

The Deep East Texas Council of Governments approved the Pineywoods Broadband Coalition at a board meeting this month. The new body will focus on technology education and workforce development. This move follows a regional push to connect rural areas to digital infrastructure.

Connor Sadro, the council’s broadband director, noted that half the region lacked adequate high-speed connectivity before these projects began. He stated that the situation is improving as new networks come online. The coalition intends to help residents use these connections effectively rather than just installing them.

The coalition’s first priority is digital navigation. This program will offer basic computer training for residents who have never owned a laptop. Classes will cover charging devices, troubleshooting, and using telehealth or video chat tools. Sadro said the initiative currently costs the council nothing, relying on existing resources and volunteers. Future funding needs will be met through local, state, and federal grants.

The second initiative addresses physical infrastructure risks. Fiber optic installation requires digging, which has already damaged water and gas lines in some areas. Many of these utility lines date to the 1970s and have not been upgraded. The coalition plans to map existing utility lines to reduce disruptions during construction. Satellite options like Starlink will not require this type of ground work.

The third pillar targets economic growth. Sadro estimated that 10,000 jobs are available if the region closes its connectivity gap. These positions range from fiber optic splicers to roles requiring online certifications. The coalition seeks to prepare local workers for these opportunities as the network expands.

The coalition launched as the council completed the first phase of a six-county broadband network. Lonnie Hunt, the council’s executive director, said this initial phase will finish by the end of November. The project started in Newton County. Hunt reported that more than half of the households served are low-to-moderate income. The first phase cost approximately $9 million. This amount came from a $51 million Texas General Land Office grant and a match from the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. The remaining $42 million in funding will be released after the next two phases are bid out. The council conducted a broadband study in 2019, which informed these current infrastructure plans.