The Department of Economic Development has announced the start of the broadband grant program’s application period, which will allow submissions through 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
A news release says projects will be prioritized that bring access to unserved areas of the state. Additional criteria include meeting or exceeding the state’s minimum definition of high-speed internet, the applicant’s share of total project costs, economic and community benefit, and adoption strategies. Applicants will be posted on the Broadband Grant webpage, and the challenge process will begin on January 10.
The goal of the broadband grant program is to bring high-speed internet to Missourians across the state. It was created by the Missouri General Assembly in 2018 and funded during the 2019 legislative session. The grant program matches up to 50 percent of the construction costs to expand broadband to unserved and under-served areas of the state.
For more information, the webinar, along with the broadband grant program guidelines, selection criteria, application and frequently asked questions are available on DED’s website.