Getting Missourians Connected
The State of Missouri plans to deploy more than $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to increase broadband internet access, adoption, and assistance statewide. The Department of Economic Development is addressing these three core areas with ARPA-funded broadband programs that will make historic investments in this critical part of our state's infrastructure.
State awards $261 million through the ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program to fund 60 broadband expansion projects
The Department of Economic Development (DED) announced today that it has awarded a total of $261 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program to 60 recipients for projects that will expand and improve internet access statewide. Projects receiving funds are expected to create more than 55,000 connections in locations that previously lacked adequate internet access.
Awarded Projects Summary Infographic
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ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program Challenge Process
The ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program Challenge Process will close on November 13, 2022 11:59 pm Central Time.
To ensure transparency and best use of taxpayer funds, the application process includes a proposed service area challenge process. OBD has published below: the applicant entity name, project name, proposed project location (by county), technology type, proposed connection speed (highest offered speed is listed), and executive summary for the proposed project. There is also an interactive map below showing the proposed service area polygons.
A broadband internet service provider that provides existing service in or adjacent to a proposed service area may submit to OBD a written challenge to an application based on its proposed service area. Within three business days of receiving a challenge, OBD will notify the applicant of such challenge.
A challenge will succeed when OBD determines that, for the proposed project service area, the challenger:
- Currently provides broadband services meeting baseline speed of 100/20 Mbps; or
- Has begun construction to provide such services; or
- Has an enforceable commitment to provide broadband internet service at speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps and scalable to higher speeds to the proposed service area in a timeframe similar to that proposed for the applicant’s project.
To view the Challenge Map, click here.
Note: OBD has updated the Challenge Map with all provided application polygons from the proposed project service areas as of October 20, 2022.
To view the list of ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program projects, click here.
To access the Challenge Application, click here.
Revised Program Guidelines
The ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program Guidelines have been revised with a few clarifications. To review the latest version of the guidelines, click here.
Updates:
- Added $100 million dollar cap per applicant
- Added clarity to the contiguous nature standard
- Added grant administrative costs as an eligible expense
- Updated the name of the grant portal
- Updated application open and close dates
- Updated Tax Clearance Certificate requirement
- Added flexibility to the Letter of Credit requirement
Resources:
The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) developed a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to provide additional guidance to the common questions we have received.
This newly created ARPA Community Identifier Map identifies areas of the state with higher than moderate, moderate, and low income areas as well as qualified census tracts.
The Broadband Availability by census block has been updated to include RDOF and NTIA grant awards.
OBD created a budget template to assist applicants in preparing applications.
Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program Guidelines
The Department of Economic Development (DED) has posted the final guidelines for its Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program. The program is funded via the State of Missouri’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This $265 million program will help communities and providers across the state invest in broadband infrastructure to bring access to unserved and underserved areas through competitive grants.
The Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program's guidelines were posted in late May and DED accepted public comment from May 31 through June 15. The final guidelines are now available here.
ACCESS
Infrastructure Grant - $265M
Fund last and middle-mile infrastructure build out, including One Touch Make Ready and pole replacement costs, bringing minimum speeds of 100 mbps / 20 mbps to unserved and underserved areas.
- Program Description
-
The Missouri Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program helps providers, communities, counties, and regions invest in building broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the state through competitive grants.
- Details
-
Total allocation: $265,000,000
Application launch date: August 15, 2022
Application close date: September 29, 2022
Award date: 75 days after the close of the application period
- Eligibility
-
Eligible entities:
- Corporations
- Or partnerships;
- Limited liability companies;
- Nonprofit organizations;
- Local Governments;
- Rural electric cooperatives organized under chapter 394 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri and their broadband affiliates;
- Telephone cooperatives, as defined in §386.020(55); and
- Public-private partnerships, with private or nonprofit partners that are registered in this state
- Requirements
-
This is a competitive grant program. The maximum grant award will be $10,000,000. The minimum grant award will be $100,000. The applicant maximum for program is $100 million. Local cost match is not required; however prioritization will be given to projects for which the applicant is including a private funding match of at least 20%, and additional credit will be given to projects receiving local government funding.
- Funding Structure
-
Multiple funding rounds will be held in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024). Dates for future rounds will be announced at the close of each round until all funds are awarded. Updates will be announced on the Office of Broadband Development webpage.
Cell Towers Grant - $20M
The Missouri Cell Towers Grant Program helps improve accessibility for those without access to quality cellular service. Funds are available for projects that will serve areas lacking quality service prioritizing those tower projects which are located on public lands.
- Program Description
-
The Cell Towers Grant will fund the construction, retrofitting, or refurbishment of towers on public lands improving access for those who depend on cellular service for internet. The program will target areas with less than 50 persons per square mile.
- Public Comment Period
-
The Cell Towers Grant draft guidelines are available for review and a survey is available for public comment. DED reviews and considers all feedback received from the survey in order to build a strong program.
- Details
-
Total allocation: $20,000,000
Application launch date: May 1, 2023
Application close date: July 1, 2023
Award date: October 15, 2023 (tentative)
- Eligibility
-
Eligible entities:
- Cellular providers;
- and Tower owners.
- Requirements
-
This is a competitive grant program. The maximum grant award will be $750,000. The minimum grant award will be $100,000. The applicant maximum for program is $8 million. Private investment is not required; however prioritization will be given to projects for which the applicant is including a private investment of at least 20%.
- Funding Structure
-
Multiple funding rounds will be held in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024). Dates for future rounds will be announced at the close of each round until all funds are awarded. Updates will be announced on the Office of Broadband Development webpage.
NTIA Grant - $42.2M
Funded through Department of Commerce, NTIA Programs help providers, communities, counties, and regions invest in building broadband infrastructure in rural and underserved areas of the state.
ASSISTANCE
Broadband Capacity Building - $10M
Invest in the Office of Broadband Development to launch and maintain a GIS broadband coverage mapping effort. Funding will support local broadband planning efforts through broadband feasibility analysis, planning, and technical assistance. It will also add the staffing and technical expertise necessary to effectively carry out grant programs.
Webinars
- Broadband Stakeholder Updates
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Broadband Stakeholder Update - February 28, 2023
Broadband Stakeholder Update - January 27, 2023
Broadband Stakeholder Update - October 31, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - September 30, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - August 26, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - July 29, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - June 24, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - May 27, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - April 29, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - March 25, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - February 25, 2022
Broadband Stakeholder Update - January 28, 2022
If you're in need of translation services, please contact grants@ded.mo.gov or call us at 573-526-1028.