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Missouri rural broadband providers net over $90 million in latest investment from USDA

By Madison Parry

Internet service providers in Missouri receive another round of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the ReConnect Program. The latest investment will deliver $91.5 million into expanding rural broadband access in the state.

The latest investment for Missouri rural broadband expansion has brings in $91.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Grant funding will be distributed through the national ReConnect Program, or Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program, originally launched in 2018.

The $91.5 million is part of a recent wave of funding from program, which pledges $550 million for the expansion of broadband access in rural communities across the country.

Among four internet service providers in the state, Total Highspeed Internet Solutions in Nixa, Mo. will receive the largest portion of the investment, $24.9 million and another $24.9 million loan from the department’s ReConnect Program, according to a news release from the USDA.

Other recipients of the funding include STE Communications in Steelville, Mo., Marshall Municipal Utilities in Marshall, Mo., and Missouricom in New Florence, Mo.

STE Communications will receive $14.8 from the grant and a $14.8 million loan, Marshall Municipal will receive $7.5 million from the grant and Missouricom will receive $4.6 million.

With its portion of the funding, Total Highspeed intends to connect around 26,000 people including 700 farms and 400 businesses to broadband in southwest Missouri.