It’s super easy to just take the internet for granted, right? I mean, most of us have high-speed broadband at home or wherever we go, so we’re pretty much always connected. Whether we’re working, shopping, or even getting healthcare, the internet is always there for us. But hey, let’s not forget about our fellow Texans living in remote areas. They don’t always have reliable internet, which can be a real struggle. Turns out, there’s been a bunch of money thrown around to help with this issue, but it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing.
So, in this little town called Monahans, Texas, with around 8,000 folks, they decided to take matters into their own hands. Even though they’re in the middle of an oil patch and have a couple of highways nearby, the town still felt pretty isolated. And until recently, getting a decent internet connection was a real pain. Teresa Burnett, who runs the Chamber of Commerce in Monahans, knew that having fast internet wasn’t just about streaming Netflix or FaceTiming with friends. It was about keeping the local economy alive.
Fast forward to 2020, and Burnett was like, “Alright, we gotta do something about this.” But let me tell you, it wasn’t like internet companies were lining up to help out Monahans. Running high-speed lines over long distances is expensive, and the customer base in remote areas isn’t always enough to cover those costs. And then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, throwing a whole new wrench into the works. Like, seriously, talk about bad timing.
But hey, there was a silver lining. Congress passed the CARES Act, offering grants to businesses, individuals, and communities. Monahans jumped on that opportunity and managed to snag a grant. They even got some funding from philanthropic organizations. In the end, they raised enough money to kick off Phase 1 of their plan, bringing broadband to homes, businesses, schools, and government facilities. Go Monahans!
Phase 1 went live just over a year ago, and the folks in town were pretty stoked about it. Businesses could run smoothly, students could take tests online without any glitches, and even the local church could livestream services flawlessly. But of course, things couldn’t be too easy, right? When Monahans applied for Phase 2 funding, they hit a roadblock. The state decided they didn’t need any more help because apparently, they already had top-notch internet coverage. Ugh, bureaucracy at its finest.
Despite the setbacks, Monahans is pushing forward with Phase 2, thanks to the determination of folks like Teresa Burnett. They’re raising more money, getting subscribers on board, and aiming to finish the project by the end of 2026. It’s been a real rollercoaster ride, but hey, they’re not giving up. And maybe that’s what matters most in the end – the grit and resilience of a community coming together to make things happen.
