DED releases Final Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deploym…

The Department of Economic Development's (DED) Office of Broadband Development (OBD) has released Missouri's Final Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a plan to invest more than $700 million to bring broadband service to more than 200,000 unserved and underserved homes and businesses. The Final Proposal is now open for public comment until September 26. After considering public comments, OBD will submit the plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for review.

"Our administration is committed to making sure we connect all Missourians by providing access to reliable, high-speed internet," said Governor Mike Kehoe. "With the submission of Missouri's final BEAD proposal, we are taking a major step forward in closing the digital divide, strengthening communities, and ensuring our state is ready to compete, thrive and move at the speed of business in a technology-driven economy."

The Final Proposal marks the next major step in the process of carrying out the state's largest investment in broadband connectivity. Missouri's plan will achieve multiple goals, including bringing high-quality service to more than 200,000 homes and businesses that lack access, investing more than $450 million in Missouri-based businesses, leveraging more than $400 million in private investment, and reaching 81% of locations with fiber-based service. This will all be accomplished using less than 50% of Missouri's BEAD allocation, saving nearly $1 billion.

"Expanding access to reliable, high-speed internet is essential for Missouri's future," said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Department of Economic Development. "Our final BEAD proposal represents a major step toward helping Missourians prosper by ensuring every household and business has the tools they need to succeed in today's economy. I am incredibly proud of our broadband team for their dedication and hard work in getting us to this point, and we look forward to working with our partners to make this vision a reality."

Missouri's Final Proposal for the BEAD program is available on the program webpage. OBD will accept public comments via survey, available here, and encourages the public to provide feedback to assist in finalizing the submission. Missouri's broadband map at broadbandmap.mo.gov will be updated shortly to show provisionally awarded providers and technologies at an address level for BEAD-eligible locations.

Once the Final Proposal is submitted, NTIA must approve Missouri's plans before BEAD projects can begin construction. Once approved and permitted, funded projects will have four years to complete their committed deployments.

About the Office of Broadband Development

The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) is focused on addressing broadband availability and non-infrastructure barriers to full participation in the digital economy in Missouri by working with providers, communities, and stakeholders to expand and accelerate broadband deployment across the state. OBD's Connecting All Missourians initiative includes an extensive public engagement process to inform plans for programs funded by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, part of the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA).

To learn more about the Office of Broadband Development or its programs and initiatives, visit DED's website.

About the Missouri Department of Economic Development

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) works to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri's businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life. As one team built around the customer and driven by data, DED aspires to be the best economic development department in the Midwest. Through its various initiatives, DED is helping create opportunities for Missourians to prosper.

For the latest updates on DED's current or future programs and initiatives, visit DED's website.