Public Service Commissioner and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley has approved $9,123,901 in federal funding to expand broadband access in north Mississippi.
Presley signed orders re-designating the Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) status of nine local electric cooperative subsidiaries in grants to be spent in 2024 from the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) for broadband expansion.
“One of my top priorities as public service commissioner is ensuring every rural Mississippian has access to affordable, reliable, fiber-to-the-home broadband service. Whether it be for telework, telemedicine, or online education, internet accessibility is indispensable in our 21st century economy and way of life,” Presley said.
“I am proud to join forces with these electric cooperatives in working to meet the needs of all Mississippians. Every dollar of these funds will make a difference in communities across our state. I will not stop until every home on every rural, backroad in Mississippi is connected.”
The following electric cooperative subsidiaries were re-subsidized:
- TVI Fiber by Tallahatchie Valley Electric — $2,017,380.80
- NE SPARC by North East Mississippi Electric — $1,265,233.80
- Tishomingo Connect by Tishomingo County Electric — $1,098,076.20
- NT Spark by Natchez Trace Electric — $1,031,059.20
- Tombigbee Fiber by Tombigbee Electric — $985,510.20
- M-Pulse Fiber by Monroe County Electric — $819,100.80
- Prentiss Connect by Prentiss County Electric — $680,315.04
- TEPA Connect by Tippah Electric — $676,635.00
- ACE Fiber by Alcorn County Electric — $550,590.48
Residents who would like to sign up for service or inquire about service availability at their address can contact Presley’s office at (800) 637-7722.
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