The Texas Regional Broadband Program is
coordinated by the
Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) in partnership with the
Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO), within the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA). This program will enhance the capacity of regional councils of governments (COGs) to spearhead regional digital opportunity strategies and local broadband planning. With TARC acting as a pass-through entity, participating COGs will receive crucial funding to support dedicated broadband staffing for three years. This $8.75 million investment, funded by the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Fund, will enable each COG to lead local planning efforts to foster successful broadband adoption and implementation of digital opportunity initiatives at the regional level.
This reimbursement grant will provide participating COGs a minimum annual allocation of approximately $107,000 for each of the three program years. Funding will support eligible activities such as staffing for regional digital opportunity work, coordination with local partners, planning efforts, and other activities necessary to develop and sustain a Regional Digital Opportunity Plan.
This initiative is designed to:
- Build regional capacity for broadband and digital opportunity planning.
- Foster regional and statewide partnerships.
- Conduct asset mapping, stakeholder engagement, convenings, workshops and digital inclusion activities.
- Support development and implementation of a Regional Digital Opportunity Plan tailored to each COG region.
- Advance local broadband efforts through strategic collaboration and sustainable coalition building.
How to Apply
To denote your COG’s interest in participating in the program, TARC has worked with the BDO and a workgroup of your peers to develop an application process. Application submission includes completion of the
Application of Interest Form (linked below) and sending the required supporting documents to TARC via email. When complete, this will make up your region’s Application of Interest Packet. This information provides essential context about your planning readiness, partnerships and staffing approach.
Click the link below to submit your COG’s Application of Interest:
Application Deadline:
January 16, 2026
5:00 PM Local Time
About the Application of Interest Packet
The Application of Interest Packet includes:
- Required Supporting Documents (submitted via email to alexg)
- Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
- Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (ICRA) or Indirect Cost Certification (ICC)
- Any existing broadband/digital opportunity planning documents
Key Program Dates: December through Early February (Subject to change, all times are Central)
December 3, 2025 – COG Notice of Interest Released
December 11, 2025 – 1:00 PM – TRBP Application Webinar #1
December 16, 2025 – 10:00 AM – Office Hours #1
December 19, 2025 – 10:00 AM – TRBP Application Webinar #2
January 6, 2026 – 3:00 PM – Office Hours #2
January 16, 2026 – 5:00 PM CST – COG Application of Interest Due
January 23, 2026 – 10:00 AM – Office Hours #3
February 1, 2026 – Program Effective Date
February 3, 2026 – COG Kickoff Training Event (Austin - followed by TARC Bi-Annual Staff Training, February 4 - 6)
TRBP Application Webinars
TARC, in partnership with the BDO, will host two identical application webinars. Both webinars will cover the same material, allowing COGs to pick the session that best fits their schedule.
Webinar Topics (Same for Both Sessions):
- Overview of the TRBP Program & roles of TARC/BDO
- Application of Interest Packet walkthrough
- Coversheet expectations
- Reporting requirements & reimbursement cadence
- Submission process (Microsoft Forms or finalized alternative)
- Q&A
Each webinar will require you to register in-order to receive the viewing link.
Webinar Dates:
TRBP Office Hours
In addition to the two application webinars, TARC will host three TRBP Office Hours. These open Q&A sessions will support COGs in preparing applications, clarifying allowability questions, understanding program expectations and preparing for onboarding. The Microsoft Teams meeting link will be a recurring link -
TRBP Office Hours | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams
Office Hours Schedule:
December 16, 2025 – 10:00 AM
January 6, 2026 – 3:00 PM
January 23, 2026 – 10:00 AM
February 12, 2026 – 10:00 AM
February 3, 2026 Kickoff – COG Kickoff Training Event
A TRBP COG Kickoff Training Event will be held on
February 3, 2026, at the Cambria Downtown in Austin which will be followed by the
TARC Bi-Annual Meeting being held February 4-6, 2026. This full-day training is designed to prepare your regional council’s key program staff to administer and deliver the Texas Regional Broadband Program.
Kickoff content will include:
An agenda and event information will be forthcoming.
Primary Contact for TRBP
Alex D. GuerreroDirector of Regional Initiatives, TARC
alexg | (512) 478-4715
