Heartfelt thanks to all 226 people so far who have signed the petition for the Texas Broadband Development Office to know Cooke County, Texas, is one of many rural Texas counties underserved on internet and cellular for availability, speed, capabilities and coverage.  Grassroots organization and communication takes persistence and effort — but it is powerful because elected officials know it represents constituency.  With $600 million set aside bipartisan by the Texas legislature for investment in 2022 for rural broadband in Texas … raising local awareness can make the difference between a chest thumping PR announcement to quiet Texas rural grumbling vs. real transparent accountability and pragmatic engagement at the local level to see actual progress.  By doing “kitchen table” local civics it does more than help a neighbor, it is a reminder to ourselves we can make a difference in big things such as broadband infrastructure for rural.  Help get the word out that a $600 million budget has the allocation process development underway and that now is the time to send a county petition to the program Director, Greg Conte as well as our State Representative, David Spiller.