According to a statement from the MO governor’s office, Governor Mike Kehoe and the Department of Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) announced on Thursday that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Missouri’s plan to award more than $814 million to bring high-speed internet to more than 200,000 unserved and underserved locations across the state. The NTIA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, approved Missouri’s Final Proposal for projects under the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment program on January 6. This approval will allow OBD to enter into agreements with awarded internet service providers to extend high-speed broadband networks. Providers will then have four years to complete their obligations under the program.
“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it’s essential infrastructure,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “We thank the Trump Administration and NTIA for approving Missouri’s plan to invest more than $814 million to expand broadband access to over 200,000 of the most difficult to serve locations in our state. This investment strengthens our economy, supports rural communities, and creates new opportunities for families and businesses across Missouri.”
A table showing the number of locations awarded by provider is available at this link. The final award for each eligible location, searchable by address, will be available at broadbandmap.mo.gov in early January.