Many rural Missourians are disconnected from the internet, but last Tuesday, Gov. Eric Greitens’ administration took a step toward trying to close the broadband gap.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development plans to hire a rural broadband manager to serve as a liaison between the federal, state and local agencies involved in regulating broadband. The liaison will work to strengthen public-private partnerships and align efforts to improve broadband across the state, according to a news release from Greitens.
Missouri is ranked 42nd of the most-connected states and ranked 30th in broadband speed. Missourians in rural parts of the state have the least access.
“Having a centralized clearinghouse to help direct traffic and lead Missouri’s infrastructure efforts can help coordinate our efforts and get service to all parts of our state much more quickly,” Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst said in the governor’s news release.
The new liaison is the first step of a partnership between the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The governor’s news release said the two agencies will work to expand broadband infrastructure in underserved areas of the state, especially in rural areas.
Broadband access helps farmers stay competitive, but studies have shown that about 60 percent of rural Missourians lack broadband access.
An unofficial state work group calling itself the Missouri Broadband Initiative recommended creating a central entity to run point on the state’s broadband effort. Luke Holtschneider, Missouri Department of Economic Development’s rural development manager, said the work group saw the need for a “central force,” after looking at how other states had improved broadband access.
“We want to have a central point of contact on the state’s broadband efforts and (for) it to be recognized — not only internally within the state, within the communities, with broadband providers, but also with the federal government so that they can be a voice for Missouri to the federal government on broadband needs,” he said.
“Connecting rural Missouri to technology and adequate internet means there will be brighter, more vibrant communities for the next generation to call home,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said in the news release. “It means additional agricultural advancements, better education, more comprehensive healthcare services and an enhanced quality of life – all of which are necessary to incentivize retention and growth.”
Legislative attempts to address the broadband gap have fallen flat in recent years. Since 2012, six bills addressing broadband have been introduced in the Missouri General Assembly, and none passed.
The executive agency partnership is Greitens’ second move to address broadband access. In April 2017, Greitens announced a $45 million effort to improve broadband access for public schools across the state, with $39 million coming from the federal government.