Texas County Rural Area Information Network (TRAIN) has won a $727,388 grant that will bring high-speed wireless Internet to Raymondville. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development made the announcement Friday.
TRAIN, since 1997, has provided dial-up Internet service throughout Texas County. It was originally funded through a state program. Before its launch, Internet users had to pay long-distance telephone bills to access a service, such as America Online.
TRAIN applied for the grant as a means of providing some areas of the county with high-speed Internet service. Raymondville currently does not have access. The organization also is working on a plan to extend high-speed wireless to other areas of the county.
The grant was among 19 awarded in 13 states and American Samoa. In all, $10.3 million was distributed.
“The Community Connect program serves rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life of citizens,” said Chuck Conner, acting agriculture secretary. “The projects funded by these grants will help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet.”