Reeves announces expansion of rural broadband to support distance learning

Monday, Gov. Tate Reeves announced $130 million will be going to expand broadband internet service to rural areas in Mississippi.

Reeves made the announcement during a live news conference on COVID-19. Half of the funds, $65 million, will be allocated as a grant to 15 rural electric cooperatives, who will match the grant dollar-for-dollar to achieve the total amount.

The legislature allocated the grant funds to expand internet service in support of distance learning in the state. The funds are part of the $1.25 billion in federal COVID-19 aid awarded to Mississippi earlier this year. In all, $275 million were allocated to broadband expansion and K-12 distance learning initiatives.