JEFFERSON CITY — This week, Governor Eric Greitens announced that the Missouri Department of Economic Development in partnership with the Missouri Department of Agriculture is launching a new statewide initiative to expand broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas. Missouri’s rural communities are at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to business development, healthcare, and farming techniques because of a lack of high-speed internet.
“We are working for every single Missourian. That’s why we’re proud to announce today that we’re launching a joint initiative between the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Agriculture to get broadband access to our rural communities. This new effort will bring every resource to bear to connect Missourians across our state,” said Governor Eric Greitens.
Kicking off the initiative, DED plans to hire a Missouri Rural Broadband Manager to lead the effort and serve as a liaison between federal, state, regional and local broadband discussions. The new position will build and strengthen partnerships between public and private stakeholders, and align efforts statewide to improve broadband access.
The FCC Broadband Progress Report shows that 1.25 million Missourians – or 20% — don’t have access to high-speed Internet (25mpbs/3mbps). The majority of those citizens reside in rural communities.
Governor Greitens previously announced that in cooperation with the state legislature, private sector partners, and the federal government, Missouri has launched a $45 million program that will enable every public school in Missouri to build the infrastructure for quality internet access. Today, schools are working with the administration to assess their needs and submit applications for funding.
Since becoming Director of Agriculture, Chris Chinn has been an ardent champion for rural broadband. The Department’s “connect MORE” initiative is focused squarely on connecting every last mile in the state so that rural communities are no longer left behind.
“Connecting rural Missouri to technology and adequate internet means there will be brighter, more vibrant communities for the next generation to call home,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “It means additional agricultural advancements, better education, more comprehensive healthcare services and an enhanced quality of life— all of which are necessary to incentivize retention and growth.”
— Missouri Department of Agriculture
For more news from Missouri, click here.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. — Ten years ago Richard and Marilyn Rolfsmeyer were excited at the prospect of being linked to the real world via a high-speed internet connection. Like many people living in the mostly rural Driftless Area that comprises southwest Wisconsin, the couple got by with relatively slow internet speeds. Scrolling the internet often […]
WASHINGTON — The federal government is pouring billions of dollars into expanding broadband internet access. But it’s at the state level where the financial rubber meets the fiber-optic road. History suggests some states are ahead of the game while others will have to play catch-up. The recently signed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes significant […]
WASHINGTON — The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Joe Biden on Nov. 15, 2021, was hailed by the White House and advocates as a historic investment to improve internet access in America. As a researcher who studies internet policy and digital inequality, I believe the infrastructure plan should be celebrated as a historic moment for […]
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Adoption of broadband has the potential to boost a community’s economic growth and quality of life. But in much of Missouri, especially rural areas, the high-bandwidth wirelines to connect households and businesses don’t exist. Helping more Missouri communities become digitally connected was the topic of a recent webinar by the University of Missouri System Broadband […]
