Winter Texoma Conference Presentation
Safe & Connected: A Full-Spectrum Solution for Texas Youth Camps
Safe & Connected: A Full-Spectrum Solution for Texas Youth Camp Compliance
Mobile-First, Fiber-Forward: Implementing the "Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act" (SB 1 / HB 1) without bankrupting your camp.
Broadband Fabric Partners (BFP) presents a turnkey, statewide initiative to bring 374+ Texas youth camps into immediate compliance with new legislative mandates. By acting as a unified coalition, we unlock state funding to deploy life-saving communications infrastructure—at little to no capital cost to camp operators.
The Law Has Changed. The Clock is Ticking.
New Requirements under HSC §141.0092 & §141.0091
The Mandate
Following the tragic floods, the 89th Legislature requires all licensed camps to maintain Redundant Internet Connectivity:
- 1. A primary End-to-End Fiber connection.
- 2. A distinct Secondary Broadband connection (Satellite/Cellular).
- 3. Emergency Warning Systems (Sirens/PA) operable without internet dependence.
The Challenge
- Geography: Most camps are in rural "dead zones" where commercial fiber is unavailable or cost-prohibitive.
- Timeline: Compliance is expected for the 2026 licensing season.
- Cost: Building fiber infrastructure individually can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per camp.
"Mobile-First" for Speed. "Fiber-Forward" for Longevity.
We act as your Private ISP to manage the complexity.
Phase 1: Immediate Compliance (Target: Q1 2026)
- Action: Deployment of enterprise-grade Mobile Broadband (Cradlepoint 5G/LTE) and Alertus emergency sirens.
- Result: Satisfies the "Secondary Link" and "Emergency Warning" requirements immediately.
- Safety: Integrates on-site flood and weather sensors directly to the Statewide Emergency Alert Portal.
Phase 2: The Fiber Build (Target: 2026 – Sept 2027)
- Action: Our partners (TDC2 & Capcon) engineer and construct the hardline fiber from the nearest backbone to your camp office.
- Result: Satisfies the "Primary Fiber" requirement.
- Future-Proofing: Utilizes the "Texas Pole Replacement Program" to upgrade aging utility poles during construction.
You Don't Pay Out of Pocket. We Leverage State Appropriations.
Accessing the $150M+ allocated by Senate Bill 5 (SB 5).
Instead of individual camps fighting for small grants, BFP submits a Statewide Joint Application to the Governor's Office.
Pot A: $28 Million (Discretionary Fund - SB 5, Sec 3)
- Usage: Funded explicitly to "improve the timeliness of flood warnings."
- Covers: Phase 1 Mobile Broadband hardware, Alertus sirens, and weather sensors.
Pot B: $127 Million (Infrastructure Match - SB 5, Sec 1)
- Usage: State matching funds used to unlock massive federal grants (FEMA BRIC/HMGP).
- Covers: Phase 2 heavy construction, fiber trenching, and civil engineering.
The "Sub-Project" Advantage
BFP handles the audit, reporting, and procurement burden. Your camp is listed as a beneficiary site, not the primary grant administrator.
Secure Your Seat at the Table.
An Integrated Ecosystem Working for You.
Our Partners
Next Steps
- Don't Go It Alone: Individual applications are high-risk and high-effort.
- Sign the Authorization: Designate Broadband Fabric Partners to include your camp in the Master Grant Application.
- Prepare for Survey: Allow our teams to digitally map your site for Phase 1 deployment.
Maximizing Funding: What Qualifies & Why We Bundle
Leveraging "Warning Timeliness" to fund connectivity.
✓ What The Grants Cover (Eligible)
Targeting SB 5 Section 3 (Discretionary) & NSGP
- Emergency Communications Hardware: Mobile broadband routers (Cradlepoint), antennas, and redundant connectivity gear
- Warning Systems: Sirens, Public Address (PA) systems, and "non-internet" alert hardware (e.g., Alertus)
- Sensors: Atmospheric, flood, water-level, and fire detection sensors
- Security Hardening: Gates, lighting, fencing, and surveillance cameras (standard CCTV only)
- Training: Staff training on new systems and emergency exercises
✗ What is NOT Covered (Ineligible)
Strict Prohibitions per State & Federal Rules
- Operational Costs: Salaries, general utility bills, or routine maintenance
- Prohibited Tech: Facial recognition software, License Plate Readers (LPR), or Knox Boxes
- Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, or defensive gear (tasers/pepper spray)
- General Construction: Landscaping, renovations unrelated to security, or land acquisition
⚡ The Strategy – Why We Bundle
The "Transport Layer" Argument
- The Logic: Grant rules (SB 5) prioritize projects that "improve the timeliness of flood warnings"
- The Critical Link: A siren or sensor is useless without a network to trigger it. By bundling the Mobile Broadband with the safety equipment, we classify the internet connection as "Safety Transport Infrastructure" rather than a general utility
- The Risk of Unbundling: If submitted separately, the broadband request may be rejected as an "operational expense" (ineligible)
- The Result: Bundling ensures the grant pays for the hardware AND the connectivity required to meet HSC §141.0092
🎤 Speaker Notes / Talking Points
- "We cannot view the internet connection and the siren as separate items. In the eyes of the grant, they are one system. The router is the vehicle that delivers the flood warning."
- "If we break these items apart, we risk the state viewing the internet connection as a standard utility bill, which they will not fund. Bundling protects the camp's budget."