Students and State Leaders Get Hands-On Look at Rural Broadband During Two-Day Event in Fayette County

Colorado Valley Communications (CVCTX) brought together students, industry professionals, and state leaders for two impactful days focused on the future of rural broadband on March 18-19.

The back-to-back events — a hands-on Career Day for local students followed by a Texas Rural Broadband Association (TRBA) Field Day for legislative staff — highlighted both ends of the broadband story: inspiring the next generation workforce and demonstrating how policy translates into real-world connectivity.

Inspiring the Next Generation On March 18, CVCTX welcomed 130 sixth-grade students from La Grange ISD for an interactive Career Day designed to showcase the wide range of careers behind building and maintaining broadband networks.

Students rotated through stations covering every stage of the broadband process — from GIS mapping and drone technology to underground utility locating, fiber construction, and hands-on fiber splicing. They also explored the role of marketing and communication in connecting communities to essential services.

“Broadband doesn’t just appear in homes and businesses,” said Kelly Allison, President of Colorado Valley Communications. “It takes engineers, technicians, construction crews, and many others working together. We wanted students to see that these opportunities exist right here in their own community.”

The event gave students a real-world look at how classroom skills translate into careers, helping them begin to envision their future in a growing and essential industry.

La Grange ISD Assistant Superintendent Stacy Eilers said the experience gave students a meaningful connection between what they learn in school and real-world opportunities.

“This was an incredible experience for our students. They were able to see how subjects like math, technology, and problem-solving come to life in real careers. Opportunities like this open their eyes to possibilities they may have never considered — and help them start thinking about their future right here in their own community.”

Turning Policy Into Practice

On March 19, CVCTX shifted its focus to hosting the TRBA Field Day, welcoming approximately 25 legislative staff members from across Texas to experience rural broadband firsthand.

While policy makers often discuss broadband in meetings and reports, Field Day provided a unique opportunity to see the infrastructure, workforce, and challenges up close.

Participants experienced live demonstrations of fiber construction, splicing, GIS mapping, and network operations, followed by a guided tour of CVCTX’s rural service area. The tour highlighted the scale and complexity of delivering high-speed internet across sparsely populated regions.

“It’s one thing to see broadband on a map, and another to stand in the middle of rural Texas and understand the miles of infrastructure required to connect even a handful of homes,” Allison said.

The day also showcased the broader role rural providers play in their communities, including CVCTX’s support of local emergency services as a backup dispatch resource for the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

Connecting People, Opportunity, and the Future For CVCTX leadership, these events reflect a deeper commitment to the communities they serve — beyond providing reliable service.

CVCTX Board President Gene Kruppa emphasized the importance of investing in both people and partnerships.

“Our responsibility goes beyond delivering reliable broadband. It’s about strengthening the communities we serve — investing in education, supporting workforce development, and helping others understand the value of what we do. Whether it’s students discovering new career paths or policymakers seeing our work firsthand, these moments matter for the future of rural Texas.”

Together, the two events told a powerful, full-circle story — from students discovering career possibilities to policy makers gaining a deeper understanding of the investment, innovation, and dedication required to connect rural communities.

“The work we do doesn’t just connect homes and businesses,” Allison said. “It connects people, opportunity, and the future of rural Texas.”

Both events were made possible through the collaboration of CVCTX employees, industry partners, educators, and community leaders — all working together to strengthen the future of broadband in Texas.