Governor Jay Nixon is launching an effort to bring broadband Internet access to all parts of Missouri. And he hopes to achieve that goal with a slice of $7.2 billion in federal economic stimulus dollars set aside for this.
Governor Nixon’s spokesman Scott Holste says Missouri must put forward a bid that will secure a slice of the more than $7 billion available.
"We want to make sure that Missouri has a competitive bid," said Holste in an interview with the Missourinet, "To be able to get part of this money so we can bring broadband to parts of the state that don’t have it."
Holste makes it clear broadband is not a luxury in this day and age.
"Broadband is vital to competing on a global scale with the economy we have today," said Holste. "When a business in a smaller community in Missouri is competing with businesses around the world in providing products and services they need to be on a level playing field and access to broadband can provide that."
Organizations or businesses interested in partnering with the state on the competitive broadband grant application must submit a notice of interest by 2 p.m. on July 13th. Missouri must submit its application to the federal government by mid-August.