State’s Rural Broadband Initiative Gets Bi-Partisan Senate Support

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U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) are addressing representatives of Missouri Electric Cooperatives in Washington, D.C. to discuss the importance of better broadband infrastructure for the state’s rural areas, reported the Daily Guide.

Blunt, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, said access to broadband is an issue that impacts virtually every Missourian. In 2018, it’s unacceptable that more than 50 percent of rural Missourians currently lack access to broadband, Blunt noted.

McCaskill added, “Missouri’s small towns and rural communities can grow and thrive with access to reliable broadband internet—but without it, small businesses can’t compete, students aren’t able to access learning resources, and essential health services go undelivered.”  

The government spending bill, which was signed into law this March, provides $600 million nationwide for a new rural broadband pilot grant and loan program. McCaskill has introduced the Community Broadband Act, which aims to improve internet access in rural areas by protecting the rights of communities to build municipal broadband networks, reported the Daily Guide.

Additionally, the FCC put an initiative in place in Missouri to expand broadband access to over 105,500 rural homes and businesses, slated to begin in late July. The program will include auction style funding where nationwide providers will compete for up to $2 billion in rural expansion support.

April 19, 2018

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