Jorge Cardenas Leads Brownsville's Connectivity Transformation with Fiber Network Initiatives
Jorge Cardenas, the Chief Information Officer of Brownsville, Texas, has been instrumental in transforming the city's connectivity landscape. Brownsville, once labeled the 'worst connected city' in 2014 due to nearly half of its households lacking internet access, has seen significant improvements under Cardenas' leadership since he took office in 2022. With a focus on bridging the digital divide, Cardenas has spearheaded the deployment of a middle-mile fiber project, supported by nearly $20 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. This project, completed in 2024, involved installing approximately 100 miles of fiber, which now supports a citywide private 5G network and an AI factory. These initiatives aim to enhance digital inclusion and operational efficiency, ensuring that the infrastructure not only provides connectivity but also remains sustainable beyond initial funding cycles. 
