HARRIS COUNTY, TX, June 30, 2025 - The Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to establish a Harris County Broadband Task Force. Responsible for guiding strategy, coordinating public-private partnerships, and tracking progress, the task force will be comprised of members appointed by the Court and representing County offices, community organizations, academia, and the private sector.

“The creation of the Harris County Broadband Task Force marks an important step in our efforts to close the digital divide,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. “The task force members will bring a diverse mix of perspective and commitment needed to expand digital access in Harris County. I’m eager to witness how this task force will turn bold ideas into action.”

Currently, over 171,000 Harris County households do not have a broadband connection, emphasizing the urgent need for action. The Harris County Broadband Roadmap categorizes its recommendations to expand access to these households under three pillars - Partnerships, Infrastructure, and Digital Opportunity. Together, these pillars create a system-wide approach to expanding broadband connectivity.

“We look forward to spearheading the development of the Harris County Broadband Task Force and its important work of addressing the unique needs of underserved communities across the county.  The solution is not a one size fits all, there are unique needs in each precinct,” said Sindhu Menon, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of Harris County Universal Services. “With the creation of this task force, which brings together diverse sectors and expertise, a strong first step has been taken in creating sustainable digital opportunities in our communities.”

The Harris County Broadband Roadmap will be a pivotal tool for the broadband task force because it provides a county-wide strategic blueprint for expanding Internet access and affordability by strengthening broadband infrastructure and increasing coordination efforts across departments, communities, and external partners.  The tool also addresses the strategy to address the digital literacy demands in the region. The document presents a flexible plan that reflects local stakeholders' priorities, opinions, and insights.

US Ignite, a national nonprofit with technical expertise in broadband connectivity, technology innovation, and city planning, led the creation of the Harris County Broadband Roadmap. Building on over a decade of experience, US Ignite supported Harris County Universal Services (HCUS) through a customized and specifically tailored process that involved interviews with over 30 county staff representing over 10 departments, county data analysis, workshops, and examination of multiple national models. The results of these efforts, along with valuable input and insight from HCUS shaped the recommended action steps to address the connectivity gaps identified by stakeholders.

“This is not a one-time strategy or static to-do list,” said Domenick Lasorsa, US Ignite Community Innovation Manager. “It is a living, working roadmap designed to spur system-wide improvements in Harris County that lead to more people connected to the Internet.”

View executive summary of the Harris County Broadband Roadmap here