For Immediate Release
December 8, 2022
Press Contact
NTIA, Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-7002, [email protected]
WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Missouri received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Missouri is receiving $2,974,642.59 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.
"In today's economy, Internet connectivity is necessary for providing education, health care, and business opportunities to all Missourians," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "I thank Governor Parson for the commitment to the Internet for All initiative."
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Missouri communities as this historic legislation leverages critical investments in urban and rural broadband to create greater opportunity for hardworking families and small businesses across the state,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5). “Whether you are a student or small business owner, high-speed internet has quickly become an essential component to competing in the 21st century economy, which is why closing the digital divide has been a top priority for me since coming to Congress. Investments like the one being announced today provide cities and towns across Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District with the resources to expand broadband in a way that works for all Missourians, and I am thrilled to have helped make this funding possible with my vote for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. As federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to be made available, I remain committed to working with the Biden Administration to bring additional federal dollars back to the Show Me State.”
“We’re grateful for the NTIA’s support as the Office of Broadband Development works to expand internet access statewide,” said Maggie Kost, Acting Director of the Department of Economic Development. “Broadband is a critical need for businesses and communities in today’s economy. This funding will greatly enhance our planning for efforts to connect all Missourians.”
All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding for the Internet for All initiative's Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.
About Missouri’s Planning Grants
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
Missouri will receive $2,147,304.59 to fund various activities including:
- Development of a 5-year action plan to close the broadband availability gap;
- Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
- Planning and capacity building of the state broadband office;
- Local coordination efforts with stakeholders across the state;
- Asset mapping across Missouri to catalog high-speed Internet adoption, affordability, equity, access and deployment;
- Conducting surveys of communities to better understand barriers to Internet adoption;
- Supporting workforce development, including accelerated education and training to develop the talent needed for building broadband infrastructure.
Digital Equity
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.
Missouri will receive $827,338 to fund various activities including:
- Development of a statewide digital equity plan to close the digital equity gap;
- Engaging local communities and stakeholders on digital equity;
- Awarding subgrants for digital demonstration projects and data collection.
Internet for All
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more.
For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.