Gov. Eric Greitens wants the state to invest $45 million over the next two years into efforts to expand broadband internet networks in rural parts of Missouri.
Greitens' office made the announcement Thursday as part of a plan to expand economic opportunities in rural parts of the state by investing in broadband initiatives, a series of clean water initiatives and in improvements to ports. In a news release, leaders in agriculture praised the plan.
Greitens called on the state to spend $45 million on programs to bring high-speed internet to businesses and homes in rural areas without access. Previously, the state set aside $80 million to supplement the loss of federal funding for families using the Children's Health Insurance Program. When Congress surprisingly renewed that program in January those funds became available for other programs.
The governor's office also proposed creating a program to provide matching state grants for private investments in rural broadband infrastructure projects.
The Federal Communications Commission defines broadband as internet service with a download speed of at least 25 megabits per second and an upload speed of at least 3 megabits per second. In January, Greitens' office said 20 percent of Missourians, or 1.5 million residents, lack access to internet service at those speeds. Most of those residents live in rural areas.
Dan Mehan, president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a news release that broadband improvements will be a key investment for the state.
"Broadband build-out is essential for the entire State of Missouri to create jobs and economic opportunities in the 21st century," Mehan said.
Greitens also wants the state to spend $1 million to create a map showing the state of the state's current broadband infrastructure that could be used to estimate the cost of bringing broadband access to more homes and businesses in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Economic Development partnered with Greitens' office in January to create a rural broadband manager which will oversee efforts to expand rural broadband access.
Regional leaders plan to move forward with a plan to create a port authority in the coming months. In his proposed budget, Greitens allocated $7.6 million to be spent on existing ports. His plan Thursday allocates an additional $14.3 million be spent on ports projects around the state. Greitens office said priority investments would be made at existing ports in places like St. Joseph and Kansas City.
The governor's plan also proposes spending $7.6 million on water treatment plans in Caldwell, Cedar and Pulaski counties. An additional $10 million could be spent on a Missouri Department of Natural Resources program that protects water sources.
Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst said the plan will help rural Missourians.
"This is a big day for Missourians," Hurst said in a news release. "These funds will lead to partnerships that improve the quality of life for citizens in every part of the state and provide vast new economic opportunities in the areas that need it most."