Feds approve Missouri’s ‘Internet for All’ proposal

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration last week said it has approved Volume II of Missouri's proposal for broadband funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.

The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. All states submitted initial proposals by Dec. 27, 2023.  

This approval enables Missouri to request access to funding, according to a press release. Missouri has requested over $1.7 billion in funds through its proposal.

According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, 11% of Missourians dont have internet access and 5% have limited internet and broadband access. That's over 400,000 residents across the state, around 200,000 homes and businesses will benefit from the funding.

The Missouri Office of Broadband Development calls the funding a huge opportunity to make broadband service available to every address in the state.

"We'll be conducting two rounds of competitive grants, will be asking Internet service providers to give us plans to reach those 200,000 unserved locations," Adam Thorp, of the OBD, said. "Then we'll be awarding funds to providers throughout that period after each of those rounds."

However, Thorp said once the final proposal is approved the changes wont take effect immediately.

"After they've received the grant, Internet service providers have four years, four years will be the longest that one of these projects can take," Thorp said.

NTIA Deputy Director for BEAD Courtney Dozier said the federal government hopes the funding provided will help get internet access to all sooner rather than later.

"This is no longer a luxury. This is no longer something that you can have once we get to you," Dozier said. "This is something that your kids need now to send in their homework. This is something that your aunt needs now to schedule her telehealth visit."

Missouri’s Office of Broadband Development has until July 24, 2025, to submit its final proposal. The proposal will document a specific plan to serve each unserved location.