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Gov. Greg Abbott joins AT&T, CompuDOT to distribute laptops and announce $500 million in flood recovery aid
Summary
Governor Greg Abbott, AT&T and CompuDOT visited CenterPoint ISD to hand out laptops to families affected by recent floods and to announce that the state has committed $200 million in immediate aid plus a $300 million legislative allocation, totaling $500 million for recovery in the region.
CenterPoint ISD Superintendent Josh Limmer welcomed students and families to a distribution event where corporate partners and state officials provided laptops to families affected by recent flooding.
Leslie Ward, president of AT&T Southern Region, said the company and partners were proud to support the community and that employees had contributed to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. "We hope these laptops help you stay connected, continue learning, and pursue your dreams," Ward said.
Governor Greg Abbott thanked AT&T, CompuDOT and local educators and told students the devices were intended to improve access to education as they return to school. Abbott also used the visit to outline the state’s role in the region’s recovery. "We were here on the spot," Abbott said, describing initial aid; he added that the state had already provided more than $200 million in support and that the legislature approved an additional $300 million, bringing the total to $500 million for flood response and rebuilding in the Guadalupe River region and surrounding communities.
Abbott said that a large portion of the funding will help homeowners whose houses were damaged or destroyed to rebuild and restore properties where possible, but cautioned that homes in flood plains may require alternative actions. He also said state resources would support short- and long-term mental health needs and help local businesses recover.
Speaking to students, Abbott connected the community’s recovery to personal resilience: "No one saw it coming, but it crushed my spinal cord and left me immediately paralyzed," he said of a past accident, then urged the audience to respond to hardship with resolve. The governor and First Lady Cecilia Abbott were recognized for attending the event.
Organizers directed students to come forward by rows to receive the donated devices. School leaders and corporate partners said the distribution is one step in a broader recovery plan that includes immediate financial assistance, mental-health resources and business-support efforts.
No formal votes or policy changes were taken at the event; it was a public distribution and announcement of previously enacted state funding for flood response. Students began lining up to receive laptops following the remarks.
