JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Department of Economic Development’s (DED) Office of Broadband Development (OBD) has announced that Missouri’s Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The approval enables the state to request access to more than $1.7 billion in BEAD funding, the third largest allocation in the nation, to be implemented for broadband expansion.
“The NTIA’s approval of Missouri’s Initial Proposal for the BEAD program is great news for our ongoing efforts in statewide broadband expansion,” Governor Mike Parson said. “Our state has already made historic investments in the critical priority of Internet connectivity to support business, agriculture, health care, education, and more. We appreciate the support of our partners at the NTIA and look forward to putting BEAD funds to good use by bringing quality connections to every Missourian within the next five years.”
Missouri’s Initial Proposal for the BEAD program was submitted to the NTIA in two volumes, with Volume I establishing a transparent challenge process to prove broadband availability prior to funding deployment. Volume II details OBD’s plans for administering funding to bring high-speed internet to every location without access. The approval of both volumes puts Missouri closer to awarding $1.7 billion to projects that will bring service to more than 200,000 locations that lack internet access. OBD now has one year to submit its Final Proposal, which will document specific service plans, and expects to open the first round of grants in the coming months.
“We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone in achieving our goal of statewide internet access,” said BJ Tanksley, Director of the Office of Broadband Development. “Approval of Missouri’s Initial Proposal for the BEAD program is a major accomplishment that brings us even closer to a fully connected future. This success was made possible through the feedback and hard work of many stakeholders and citizens who we’re grateful to call partners in connecting all Missourians.”
In July, OBD submitted a list of 205,620 unserved and underserved locations to the NTIA that were determined to be eligible for BEAD funding based on the state challenge process. The challenge process identified an additional 201,574 unserved and underserved locations that currently lack broadband service. These locations are expected to receive service either through privately funded projects, by the end of this year, or through previous funding programs. Ongoing OBD grants have brought or will bring service to 65,874 locations associated with pre-BEAD funding rounds.
OBD has published location-level summary results of the state challenge process on its challenge process webpage. Missouri’s broadband mapping portal, available at broadbandmap.mo.gov, will also soon be updated to reflect results and final BEAD eligibility determinations. OBD will continue to work to improve broadband mapping throughout the state over the course of the BEAD program and beyond.
For more information, including the final version of Missouri’s Initial Proposal for the BEAD program, visit OBD’s Connecting All Missourians webpage.
About the Office of Broadband Development
The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) is focused on addressing broadband availability and non-infrastructure barriers to full participation in the digital economy in Missouri by working with providers, communities, and stakeholders to expand and accelerate broadband deployment across the state. OBD’s Connecting All Missourians initiative includes an extensive public engagement process to inform plans for programs funded by the Digital Equity Act (DEA) and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, both part of the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA).
To learn more about the Office of Broadband Development or its programs and initiatives, visit DED’s website.
About the Missouri Department of Economic Development
The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) works to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri’s businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life. As one team built around the customer and driven by data, DED aspires to be the best economic development department in the Midwest. Through its various initiatives, DED is helping create opportunities for Missourians to prosper.
For the latest updates on DED’s current or future programs and initiatives, visit DED’s website.