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By Luis Montoya
PHARR, Texas – The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) has announced the recipients of NATOA’s 2026 Community Broadband and Digital Equity Awards, recognizing innovative projects in government, business and local communities nationwide.
Recipients will be honored at NATOA’s Annual Conference, being held September 14 – 17, 2026, at the InterContinental in Kansas City, MO.
“Broadband is no longer a luxury—it’s essential infrastructure that powers education, economic opportunity, healthcare, public services, and civic engagement,” said NATOA President Chris Seidt. “This year’s award recipients exemplify the innovation, collaboration, and dedication needed to ensure every resident can participate fully in the digital economy. NATOA is proud to recognize these outstanding leaders and projects that are helping shape a more connected future for communities across the nation.”
One of the winners was the City of Pharr. The city won a Digital Equity Project of the Year award for its Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Program.
NATOA said: “The Pharr Connect Digital Literacy is a comprehensive program designed to address the multiple barriers residents face in accessing digital resources and includes digital literacy training, access to devices, and community support services. Pharr’s newest initiative, Pharr Connect U – Workforce Development Program is a comprehensive program designed to expand digital infrastructure and create high-demand career pathways across the Rio Grande Valley. The initiative provides tuition-free fiber optic technician training utilizing the Fiber Broadband Association’s OpTIC Path™ curriculum, combining classroom instruction, hands-on labs and paid internships with local broadband employers.”
Speaking about the award, Jose Peña, Pharr’s IT director, said: “This would not have been possible without the help of many but one that must be mentioned and thanked is Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., for believing in Pharr and connecting with the vision Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez has for our city. We continue to have a full house at our Digital Literacy Training Program and every resident going through our program have nothing but amazing things to say about it.
Peña continued: “The work we do in Pharr was never about getting awards nor recognitions, which there has been many, it all started many years ago with solving an initial problem, the digital divide.”
Peña said Pharr Connect has solutions for:
1. Service, residential services starting at $25 and at no cost if students of PSJA ISD. Commercial services available as well.
2. Education, digital literacy, cyber and AI courses for residents.
3. Access, every student attending our classes receive a new laptop at completion.
4. Workforce, our latest workforce development program on fiber optics certification training with internship placement at completion.
Another winner of the NATOA’s Digital Equity Project of the Year award was the City of Alamo.
NATOA said Alamo’s Access to What Matters Most program redefines what digital equity looks like at the local level by “meeting residents where they already are, within their everyday environments.”
NATOA continued: “By providing free, reliable Wi-Fi in Alaniz Villagomez Park, a safe and inclusive public space, the City of Alamo removed a critical barrier for families who may not have consistent internet access at home. Embedding connectivity into a space designed for health and recreation, the City of Alamo created an environment where residents can work, learn, and stay connected while enjoying the benefits of being outdoors. As the first park to implement free public Wi-Fi, Alaniz Villagomez Park serves as a model for future expansion, ensuring connectivity, wellness, and accessibility become standard components of every community space.”
Alamo Mayor J.R. Garza said: “We wanted to make sure that every park that we are doing is new, any new development in the city, we add that component. The Wi-Fi is extremely important.”
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