Steelville Telephone Exchange Among Recipients Of Broadband Grant

Steelville Telephone Exchange, Inc. is one of the recipients of the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, which awarded more than $261 million for projects that will expand and improve internet access.

Gov. Mike Parson’s office said more than 55,000 connections will be established in locations lacking adequate internet access.

The money came from Missouri’s American Rescue Plan funds.

STE received more than $9.1 million for two projects that will serve Iron, Crawford, Washington and Dent counties.

The ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, administered by DED’s Office of Broadband Development, was launched in August 2022 to invest in broadband expansion. The program awarded competitive grants to a wide range of applicants, including traditional internet providers as well as electric and telephone cooperatives. The program prioritized unserved and underserved areas. Funds will be used to build new connections that will deliver symmetrical speeds of 100 Mbps upload / 100 Mbps download or greater.

The largest recipient is White River Valley Electric Cooperative.

The co-op received more than $47 million for seven projects affecting Christian, Douglas, Ozark, Stone and Taney counties.

Chariton Valley Communications received more than $43 million for 10 projects affecting the counties of Adair, Knox, Marion, Macon, Monroe, Shelby and Ralls counties.

Gateway Infrastructure, LLC received more than $25 million for four projects serving Lincoln, St. Charles and Warren counties.

Spectrum Mid-America, managed by Charter Communications, received more than $11 million for three projects in Jefferson and Washington counties.

The complete list can be found here: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MOGOV/2023/01/23/file_attach...