News

Senators urge more resources for rural broadband

Both U.S. Senators from Missouri, Democrat Claire McCaskill, and Republican Roy Blunt, hosted events at the Missouri State Fair Thursday spotlighting the need for more robust internet services in rural America.

The events, held at separate times and in separate places on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, were to talk about urging the FCC to make more money available to upgrade rural broadband.  That’s something Senator McCaskill says is currently not available to 60 percent of rural Missourians.  Similar statistics are common in the rest of rural America.

“Rural broadband is really the key to the kingdom in terms of the vibrancy and health of rural communities in our state.” said Senator McCaskill, referring to need to federal funding to connect rural communities.

In addition to Senator Blunt and several rural broadband stakeholders, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens also spoke at the news conference taking place in the State Fair Headquarters of the Missouri Farm Bureau.  For an investment of $6 million in state taxpayer dollars, the state of Missouri has “unlocked” an amount of $39 million, according to Greitens.

“Now for the first time in Missouri’s history, we’re going to be able to connect every rural school in the state of Missouri to high-quality broadcand internet access,” said Greitens.

AUDIO: Claire McCaskill (6 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Roy Blunt, Eric Greitens, Marshal Stewart, Barry Hart, Rick Telthorst (26 min. MP3)