“The impactful work by Methodist Healthcare Ministries across San Antonio and Bexar County, continues to demonstrate their commitment to addressing the many challenges of the digital divide,” says Rhia Pape, Executive Director at SA Digital Connects. “We are proud to be supported and funded by MHM and other private sector partners and are thankful SA Digital Connects gets to work with such amazing partners to implement the SA/Greater Bexar County Investment Plan. There are many layers to this work and it’s only with coordination and collaboration between organizations that we will see success in closing the digital divide in our community.”

It hasn’t been six months yet, but in some ways, it feels like this was always my path. Leading SA Digital Connects, a private-public-community partnership that aims to close San Antonio’s and Bexar County’s’ digital divide, is complex and challenging, but also rewarding.

“We know that successfully closing the digital divide in Bexar County involves more than simply access. We need adoption,” BiblioTech director Laura Cole said. “We need people to feel safe, secure and competent when working in the online space.”
Laura Cole- SA Digital Connects Board Chair.

However, barriers such as lack of infrastructure, affordability and understanding how to safely use the internet remain, said Rhia Pape, executive director of SA Digital Connects, a public-private organization working to expand digital access. Local digital advocates are hopeful that state and federal funds will help speed up the digital adoption process, especially among multifamily housing residents and residents living in the more rural and lower-income areas of the region.

Rhia Pape, Executive Director of SA Digital Connects, commended San Antonio's commitment, stating, "The City of San Antonio is committed to closing the digital divide, and this recognition is well deserved. We are proud to support their intentional effort and appreciate our continued partnership in this extensive work.”

A new $1.5 billion broadband fund in Texas will go toward matching grants for BEAD projects and allow it to leverage funds through the American Rescue Plan Act and other federal programs.