Funding has now been secured for the construction of broadband infrastructure in two separate El Paso school districts.
The funding for what is being called the Cotton Valley Connect project, as spearheaded by El Paso County, amounts to $2.8 million and will provide wireless service to the Fabens Independent School District, as well as the Tornillo Independent School District.
The Fabens district, which includes the town of Fabens with some 8,200 people, is located roughly 30 miles to the south of El Paso, and is made up of four schools, including one high school.
The Tornillo School District has an elementary, middle, and high school, and is further to the south, serving the border town of Tornillo, with a population of around 1,600 people.
Funding for the broadband project is coming out of the recently approved $1.5 trillion Bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Bill. In announcing the passage of that legislation, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso, said in part that the funding will “address El Paso’s priorities to rebuild our infrastructure in a way that is reflective of 21st century needs.”
It is thought that the new broadband will ultimately serve a combined 3,200 students from both school districts.
By Garry Boulard
