Broadband Summit to Kick Off 'Connecting All Missourians'

Monday, September 26, 2022

The Missouri Department of Economic Development's (DED) Office of Broadband Development invites people to join in Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the Missouri Farm Bureau headquarters, 701 S. Country Club Dr., Jefferson City, for a statewide summit launching "Connecting All Missourians," a major initiative to ensure every Missourian has access to high-speed internet - and the skills to use it.

This first-of-its-kind event will include Gov. Mike Parson, DED Director Maggie Kost, Office of Broadband Development Director BJ Tanksley, Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn, and others.

"Connecting All Missourians" programs -- funded through the Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act (DEA) -- represent an unprecedented opportunity to connect unserved and underserved Missourians. These programs will fund lasting investments for broadband infrastructure and measures to promote broadband adoption such as digital inclusion. The Oct. 4 summit is just the beginning of a statewide listening tour to inform upcoming programs. Feedback received from stakeholders at the summit and future events will shape the creation of a five-year infrastructure plan and Missouri's Digital Equity Plan.

In addition to remarks from Parson, the agenda includes a series of informative speakers about current efforts, the public engagement process, and connectivity issues in Missouri. However, the main purpose of the summit is to hear from our stakeholders: rural and urban citizens, businesses, community anchor institutions, local governments, and service providers. Stakeholder input is crucial to the work of the Office of Broadband Development as we develop future programs. The goal of this campaign is to identify broadband challenges and barriers while identifying resources that can further our mission: Connecting All Missourians.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Broadband Development at broadband@ded.mo.gov or 573-526-1028.