Bell County OKs $3.5M ARPA subaward to AMG (NextLink) to expand rural broadband

Bell County Commissioners Court voted Oct. 28 to authorize a $3.5 million ARPA subaward to AMG Technology Investment Group LLC, operating as NextLink, to expand broadband service in rural parts of the county.

Kylie, a county staff member who introduced the project, said the subaward uses remaining ARPA funds to improve access and affordability in targeted rural areas and that AMG was selected after a competitive solicitation. The subaward amount to AMG is $3,500,000; county staff said AMG will provide additional matching funds though the precise match percentage was not specified in the transcript.

Bill Baker, CEO of AMG Technology Investment Group, described the project scope: AMG will upgrade existing towers, deploy 16 new towers focused on four identified weak‑service areas, fiber up the city of Hubbard and add middle‑mile fiber to serve towers and wholesale capacity to other providers. Baker said the network will use licensed spectrum and that fixed‑wireless service will typically deliver up to about 500 megabits per second across most areas and "in some areas, we'll be doing service up to a gig." He said the company expects customers to see improved broadband by the end of the first quarter after work begins and that the project will be largely complete within one year, with final wrap‑up before November 2026 under the grant term.

On pricing, Baker said fixed‑wireless plans in practice range widely and that AMG committed in its proposal to a low‑income plan priced around $35–$40 to help households with limited means access service.

Baker also stated two related figures in the hearing: that AMG currently operates towers in the county (the transcript shows both "11" and later "13" referenced for existing towers) and that AMG's total investment for the project is $4,700,000; the county\'s ARPA subaward is $3,500,000.

The court took formal action on Item 5 to authorize the county judge to enter a strategic partner subaward agreement between Bell County and AMG Technology Investment Group LLC covering the subaward amount and term 10/28/2024–11/01/2026. Commissioner Schneider moved the authorization; Commissioner Seaman seconded. The court recorded a voice vote (ayes) and the motion carried.

The presentation emphasized rural coverage, wholesale access to middle‑mile fiber, and a stated commitment to offering a low‑income plan. County staff and AMG representatives answered commissioners' questions about timing, tower counts and pricing during the presentation; staff did not provide a detailed schedule of build phases beyond the completion window tied to the grant term.

Next steps: the court authorized the judge to execute the agreement so that engineering and deployment work can proceed under the subaward and contract documents.