Advocates claim needy areas are being left out of broadband expansion discussions

by

Will Stribling

• Published on February 5, 2024 • Last modified on February 7, 2024 • Comments

Oleta Fitzgerald, Director of the Children's Defense Fund's Southern Regional Office, speaks about her concerns about the state's Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) initiative and whether it will adequately provide quality and affordable broadband to the underserved communities statewide at a news conference at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Representatives from over 10 statewide organizations shared their concerns to media.
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A coalition of statewide organizations and local leaders is concerned that over $1.2 billion in federal grants coming to Mississippi to build out universal access to broadband internet won't be spent equitably.

Will Stribling

Advocates claim needy areas are being left out of broadband expansion discussions

At a Capitol press conference, the coalition expressed their belief that broadband access is key to future economic prosperity in the Delta, the most impoverished region of the state.

"Broadband expansion ensures that every corner of Mississippi... including those underserved minority communities have the same access to the same educational and economic opportunities as those in the urban areas," Democratic Representative Otis Anthony, who represents parts of four Delta counties, said.

The Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi office, or BEAM, is the state entity in charge of managing the federal grants. The coalition alleges that BEAM has not engaged enough with local leaders and citizens in the areas of the state where broadband access is most needed.

Sally Doty, Director of BEAM, says they have held community engagement meetings across the state.

I have been to the Delta over 15 times," Doty said. "I understand that they would like us to be in every single community, but that is just not possible."

BEAM is currently in the setup phase of a five-year action plan that involves deploying broadband to all unserved and underserved locations across the state.

According to Doty, when her office's plan has been executed, no community is going to be left behind.

"There is internet service coming," Doty said. "It's it's often a slow process. It doesn't move as fast as any of us want it to, but it's coming."

Mississippi will be granted access to some of the $1.2 billion in federal funding after BEAM's proposal for its use is approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.