WESLACO, Texas - Famed businessman Alonzo Cantu has thrown his support behind the work of the Rio Grande Valley Broadband Coalition.
The RGVBC unveiled its RGV Broadband and Digital Opportunity Plan at the offices of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council.
The coalition noted that the Valley still lacks reliable internet access, holding the region back in a world that increasingly depends on digital tools. The coalition says its plan is a “bold initiative to ensure every home, business, and community anchor institution in the region has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.”
Cantu, president and CEO of Cantu Construction and Development, had a front row seat for the coalition’s presentation. He was seated next to Sergio Contreras, CEO of Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, LLP., Both Cantu and Contreras are members of the Texas Broadband Development Office’s Board of Advisors.
To advance digital development in the region, the RGV Broadband and Digital Opportunity Plan focuses on:
Jordana Barton-Garcia is a senior fellow at Connect Humanity and director of the RGV Broadband Coalition. She said the coalition's plan has been developed through a multi-sector partnership of local governments, internet providers, schools, healthcare institutions, small businesses, and nonprofits. She said the plan addresses long-standing connectivity gaps that have limited education, jobs, healthcare access, and economic growth across the region.
“Broadband is the foundation for opportunity in today’s economy,” Barton-Garcia said. “This plan represents a turning point, ensuring that all residents — no matter who they are or where in the Rio Grande Valley they live — can access the connectivity they need to thrive.”
At the conclusion of the, Barton-Garcia thanked all the stakeholders that had come together to agree on a plan of action. She said the coalition is already working to implement some of the plan’s activities and is actively seeking partners and funding opportunities to put the full plan into action and accelerate digital opportunity efforts.
It was at this point that Cantu asked if he could speak.
“I'm glad I came,” Cantu said. “To do an action plan we need to all work together. I have been trying to do this for the Valley for decades now. But it is very difficult. But the more you work together…”
Cantu said he had just been talking to Rose Benavidez, the president of Starr County Industrial Foundation, and Willacy County Judge Aurelio Guerra.
“Those small towns are not represented anywhere near as much as they should be. But there are a lot of opportunities,” Cantu said. “I tell my people, I don't know how to spell IT but I know the importance of it.”
Cantu said he and his management team plan to “transform” the bank he founded, Lone Star National Bank, through artificial intelligence.
“This is so important,” Cantu said, addressing Barton-Garcia and the coalition. “We can work together. I think this is something you all should preach.”
He said the Valley should reach out to state leaders and get the funding it deserves. He said funding should have come in decades ago but the region was ignored. “We get ignored when we don’t work together.”
In a press release, RGVBC said its plan aligns with federal and state funding opportunities, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP). As such, the release stated, the Valley is positioned for growth and for tackling its status as a persistent poverty region.
“The RGV Broadband Coalition ensures that local voices drive broadband solutions, with a strong focus on rural areas, colonias, and low-income communities,” the press release states. The release included these bullet points:
Benavidez, the president of Starr County Industrial Foundation, said: “Closing the digital divide means expanding opportunities for education, jobs, and healthcare. With this plan, we are setting the stage for a more connected, more prosperous Rio Grande Valley which harnesses the talents and creativity of all our people.”
One of the panel discussions focused on the job opportunities available to young people thanks to IT. It was moderated by Guillermo Aguilar of Brownstone Consultants. Aguilar told the young people on the panel that thy were standing on the shoulders of giants. “We have those giants here in the front row,” Aguilar said, giving a particular shoutout to Cantu.
Aguilar said the region has been getting money for broadband projects. He referenced Methodist Healthcare Ministries giving $3 million to the City of Pharr for its internet project. He also referenced the support of Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation and the Ford Foundation. He said the region has received $21 million over the last two years for broadband,
“Through all these industry partners and leaders, we're now starting to get into the ecosystem of the philanthropic grant world,” Aguilar said.
The Valley is not dabbling in “pie in the sky” pathways or programs, Aguilar said.
“Just this morning, without giving the details, I participated in the groundbreaking announcement of a $52 million rural broadband project that was funded by the Broadband Development Office. So these are real opportunities. I can't get into the funds and specifics, but we have somebody in the crowd who is now part of a national internet tech company advisory board, which is just unheard of for our region.”
Referencing Pharr’s big internet project, he said that because local contractors were hired, $42 million stayed in the region. “We’re talking about jobs and economic impact.,” he said. And now, because of, again, the workforce programs and the efforts… not to be repetitive, that labor is now being taken north into Texas as a national role model.”
Pharr’s director of IT, Jose Pena, was in the audience. Aguilar asked him how many national awards Pharr has won for its broadband project. The answer was seven. “Incredible things to be proud of,” Aguilar said.
Aguilar added that although few people in the Valley are talking about AI at present, he said he knows of entrepreneurs who are looking to build data centers in the region.
“We've received two or three hits just within the last couple of weeks. And again, all the stuff that Manny has done in the leadership to prepare us for that is really important,” Aguilar said, referencing Manny Cruz, executive director of LRGVDC.
LRGVDC is a member of the Rio Grande Valley Broadband Coalition.
