U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $500,000 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Improve Broadband Access in Medina County, Texas

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $500,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the county of Medina, Texas, to improve broadband access.

The EDA grant will support local business and community needs by providing broadband infrastructure. The project will increase high-speed internet access in rural Medina County to Villa d ’Alsace in Castroville and Lake Shore Estates in Lytle. This EDA grant will be matched with $127,000 in local investment.

“Reliable, fast-speed internet is key to supporting economic growth, job creation and improved education as we recover and rebuild from the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will improve broadband service to rural areas in Medina County, providing better communication capabilities for residents, helping the region create and retain jobs, and attracting private investment to the community.”

“I thank the Economic Development Administration for their investment as we work to increase broadband access for all Texans across our great state,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Reliable, high-speed internet will help grow businesses and create jobs in the Medina County community, leading to greater economic development in the region as we unleash the full might of the Texas economy.”

“While Texans persevere as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on our state, we must take steps to ensure that our communities are equipped to weather the storm,” said Senator John Cornyn. “I applaud this announcement and will continue to do everything I can to make economic growth in Medina a high priority.”

This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, provides a wide range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.