Mississippi’s plan to spend $1.2 billion in federal money to expand broadband internet access statewide has received approval from the Biden administration.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration on Thursday announced it has approved Mississippi and South Dakota’s initial proposals for the $42-billion federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment state grant program. BEAD is the cornerstone of the Biden administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. The state grant program is part of $62 billion included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for expanding internet access.

The approval allows Mississippi to request $1.2 billion and go from planning to action on the BEAD program. South Dakota was cleared to request $207 million.

The award was based on the number of homes and businesses lacking high-speed internet and estimated costs of expanding it. Mississippi has an estimated 300,000 unserved and 200,000 underserved homes and businesses.

“In the 21st century, a reliable Internet connection is a necessity that enables access to jobs, health care, and education. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring that everyone in Mississippi, South Dakota, and across the country has access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a press release. “Congratulations to the teams in Mississippi and South Dakota. We look forward to working with you to ensure that everyone in the states is connected.” 

The 56 states or territories eligible for BEAD submitted their proposals for the program by late December of 2023, outlining how they planned to spend money to deliver internet access to unserved and underserved locations.

READ MORE: Average Mississippi school internet speeds 20 times slower than neighboring states, watchdog says

One year from this approval, states must submit a final proposal that details the outcome of subgrantee selection and how the state will ensure universal coverage.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who played a key role in securing internet funding for Mississippi in the infrastructure bill, in a statement said: “As the only person in the Mississippi Congressional Delegation who voted in support of broadband being available to the last mile, I support this initial step, but I expect the final outcome to be delivered to those who need it the most.”

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Sally Doty, director of broadband expansion for Mississippi, in a statement said: “This approval in the BEAD program means we are one step closer to connecting all remaining unserved and underserved locations in the most rural areas of Mississippi. These are large construction projects that require a good deal of time for buildout and require careful evaluation and monitoring, but incredible progress is now being made. From Alligator, MS in the heart of the delta, to Woodville, MS in the extreme southwest corner of the state, and everywhere in between, reliable high-speed internet is on its way.” 

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