The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) requested public input for its Cell Towers Grant Program in a recent news release.
The program is funded by the state's share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The grants will support two types of tower projects: construction of new towers and retrofitting and/or refurbishment of existing towers.
Missouri House Bill 3020 appropriated $20 million for the program and wants local support, particularly from those without access to quality cellular service, to help decide how funds will be used.
This is the link to the survey, which ends 5 p.m. April 1. Those without internet access may call DED at 573-751-4962 to submit their survey responses.
The funds will assist projects that plan to serve areas lacking quality cellular service, with priority given to projects located on public lands.
Project bidders have from May 1-July 1 to submit proposals and receive grant assistance, which gets awarded October 15 -- only cellular providers or tower owners may apply. The application cycle may get repeated until ARPA disbands further work on the program.
Within 30 business days of the application closing period, DED will publish on its website a map with the proposed projects' service areas.
The minimum project grant amount is $100,000 while the maximum project grant is $750,000. The maximum an applicant can receive is $8 million per application cycle.
Projects that have private investment of at least 20 percent will score higher on the grant application.
The grant may be applied to these eligible project costs:
Construction of new towers.
Retrofit of existing towers.
Refurbishment of existing towers.
Installation of utilities at the cell tower site.
Fiber-to-the-antenna.
Engineering and construction plans.
Permitting;
Installation.
Validation of service.
Grant administration costs not to exceed 4 percent of grant amount or $55,000, whichever is lower.