BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce has finalized its plans for 2025 Brownsville Chamber Washington, D.C. Fly-In.
More than 30 officials from the public and private sectors will participate. They will depart Brownsville on Sept. 9 and return Sept. 11.
The officials will promote Brownsville’s federal legislative priorities. One of the priorities focuses on broadband expansion.
Here are Brownsville’s priorities for broadband expansion and digital equity:
Support increased funding for BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) and other National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) administered programs to help local governments and broadband providers close last-mile connectivity gaps.
Ensure flexibility in federal broadband grant and loan programs to accommodate creative public-private partnerships like Brownsville BTXFiber, a city-led initiative made possible through a $20 million ARPA investment and $70 million in private capital from Lit Communities.
As stated in H.R. 2805, the “PLAN for Broadband Act” introduced in the 119th Congress, streamline permitting and access to federal infrastructure assets to speed deployment of fiber and fixed wireless, particularly in historically underserved border communities.
Support renewed funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or a permanent successor that enables low-income households to benefit from BTXFiber and similar broadband networks. The conclusion of the ACP raises serious concerns about widening the digital divide, particularly in historically underserved areas like the Rio Grande Valley, where access to reliable, affordable internet remains limited.
Back digital equity and literacy initiatives that ensure residents can fully participate in telehealth, remote learning and the digital economy.
