EDA Grant Lays Foundation for Significant Broadband Investments in Missouri

In September 2021, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the Missouri Association of Councils of Government (MACOG) a $613,750 CARES Act investment to develop a statewide broadband feasibility study and technical assistance for broadband development. This EDA-funded project allows for the state to not only better understand the broadband challenges, but also better positions the state for other federal broadband grant opportunities, including additional planning grants. The state of Missouri was allocated the third highest amount of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funds among all states, $1.7 billion. “The state of Missouri is a step ahead in broadband planning and organization, thanks in part to this EDA investment. I think this study will continue to lead to some significant results,” said MACOG Statewide Planning Coordinator Doug Hermes.