Adam RollinsTexas’ rural hospitals have until May 2, 2024, to apply for a share of $23.9 million from the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) State Office of Rural Health (SORH) to expand and improve broadband infrastructure. Applicants can apply for grants up to $100,000.
The funds are a part of the Texas Rural Hospital Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP), an initiative designed to improve rural hospital connectivity to meet the needs of local communities. The initiative will help reinforce healthcare accessibility in rural environments, allowing hospitals to substantially improve the quality of life in communities statewide.
TDA will deliver the funds through the Broadband Development Office (BDO) at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (TCPA). Recipients can use the awards to invest in technology upgrades that allow hospitals to provide better medical service, telehealth consultations and patient care.
Rural communities often face barriers in accessing healthcare services, with a lack of reliable broadband accessibility being one of the largest and longest-standing issues. The grants will help healthcare providers develop and expand broadband infrastructure enabling them to connect with patients, access medical records and collaborate with specialists statewide.
