News
A fiber-to-the-premises internet provider has won a Capital Projects Fund (CPF) BOOT Grant to support their work in Liberty County, Texas.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Highline, a fiber-to-the-premises internet provider with operations in six states, is celebrating after being awarded a CPF BOOT grant to expand fiber broadband access across Liberty County, Texas.
The development, announced Wednesday, is the latest momentum for Highline in Liberty County.
Last year, in July, Highline announced the acquisition of a Liberty, Texas-based ISP named IMS.
Now, with CPF BOOT grant funds, the company said they’re “actively evaluating additional opportunities within Liberty County,” according to Highline’s release.
The BOOT Program in Texas is aimed at developing broadband infrastructure in Texas.
The comptroller’s website in Texas describes the program as aimed at ensuring “Texans have the connectivity they need by funding critical broadband infrastructure projects that bring last-mile connectivity to homes and businesses across the state.”
The BOOT Program, now in its second round, stands for Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas.
In January, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced over $700 million in BOOT II Program awards for a dozen providers
According to the comptroller’s website, all BOOT-funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2026.
Additionally, the comptroller’s office says they’ve finalized agreements “totaling more than $424.6 million, which will cover projects in 13 of the 24 selected counties for BOOT II.”
“These projects will connect more than 54,000 locations to high-speed, reliable internet service,” the comptroller’s website stated. “Agreements for an additional nine selected counties are still being finalized, connecting more than 39,000 additional unserved locations.”
A report of BOOT II grants awarded by the comptroller’s office shows over $69.6 million awarded to ITC Broadband Operating, LLC for Liberty County.
Highline, based in Michigan, is under holding-company ITC’s umbrella of companies, according to ITC’s website.
‘We are fully invested in the region’
Scott Borel, a representative from Highline, offered comment on the Liberty County news in Highline’s release.
“With our established operations in Liberty County, this grant allows us to accelerate our vision of making reliable, high-speed internet available to even more communities,” Borel stated. “We are fully invested in the region and look forward to expanding our services to ensure that every household, school, and business has access to the fiber broadband they need.”
In addition to Texas, Highline’s website also lists Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Georgia, and Kansas as states where they operate.
Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.
Also, click here to subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.
