JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Legislation establishing a grant program for the installation of broadband internet services in unserved and underserved areas in the Show-Me State is one step closer to become reality.
On Thursday, the Missouri House gave final approval of Rep. Delus Johnson’s HB 1872, which will enable corporations and organizations to apply for a grant within the Department of Economic Development to fund up to 50 percent of the installation of broadband infrastructure. The grants will not exceed $5 million.
The one caveat to the bill, the money will only be available should it be appropriated.
“I strongly hope that not only does [the] bill pass but that we actually put some money into it,” said Rep. Peter Merideth. “That we stop just talking about rural broadband and do it.”
Roughly 61 percent, or one million people in Missouri, do not have access to broadband internet, according to Johnson. The bill is based on a successful rural broadband expansion plan from Minnesota. Supporters say the bill will help rural Missourian in business, agriculture, and accessibility.
Johnson’s broadband bill aims to get rural Missouri connected
In an exchange with Rep. Justin Hill, Johnson walked through the logic and logistics of the legislation.
“I want rural broadband to expand but I question the merits of the method,” said Rep. Justin Hill. “If you are forcing an extra expense on a utility company before they can make money over here, they lose incentive, right?”
The internet service providers that he talked to are extremely supportive of the grant program, according to Johnson. The way the bill is written, companies can apply for up to 50 percent funding for a project through the state and still apply for a grant through the FCC, potentially getting the complete cost of the project funded.
Hill was curious if this program would slow down development in populated areas but Johnson said that was not the case. The bill has no effect on populated areas, according to Johnson.
“The sole intent is unserved areas which are going to be your lower populated areas,” said Johnson.
Gathering bipartisan support the bill was sent to the Senate in a 136-11 vote.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
