Show Me Broadband Coalition Leader Shows Support for Missouri's BEAD Final Proposal

On September 19, 2025, the Missouri Department of Economic Development submitted its final proposal for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The proposal, which requires approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), would award $792 million to 42 internet service providers in Missouri to serve 213,803 locations.

On September 29, 2025, Janie Dunning, Coordinator for Show Me Broadband, sent a letter to NTIA Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth expressing the group's strong support for the state's final proposal. Show Me Broadband is a coalition of Missouri organizations, local governments, businesses, and citizens dedicated to bringing fast, reliable, and affordable Internet to every home, farm, and business. 

To: The Honorable Arielle Roth
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230

Re: Support for Missouri BEAD Final Proposal

Dear Assistant Secretary Roth:

We write to express our strong support for the Missouri State Broadband Office’s Final Proposal under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, submitted on September 2, 2025 to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Show Me Broadband is a coalition of Missouri’s farmers, municipalities, elected officials, internet service providers, realtors, financial institutions, libraries, nonprofits, and regional development organizations. We have strong organizations like Missouri Farm Bureau and the University of Missouri showing strong support for broadband in Missouri.

We come from different backgrounds but are united by the belief that every Missourian should have access to fast, reliable, affordable internet service. We are closer now to this goal than we have ever been, and we need your help!

I want to share with you some amazing results from Missouri’s final proposal:

• There are 42 preliminary awardees.  This is a great utilization of a vast number of providers in the state.
• There are 275 projects with technology distribution at 81% fiber, 14% LEO satellite, 4% licensed fixed wireless and 1% coaxial cable/hybrid.  Extensive effort was made to determine best technology for the diverse geographic terrain of the state,
• Awards totaled $792 million of $1.7 billion allocation showing a large savings.
• Providers brought $425 million to the table in matching funds.
• AND, these awards would bring an estimated 2,500 additional jobs to the state.

The proposal reflects a thorough and responsive effort by the state to implement the NTIA’s June 6, 2025 Policy Notice. By aligning closely with this guidance, the Missouri State Broadband Office has crafted a plan that is both technology neutral and cost-effective. At the same time, it sets forth a clear path to ensure that every resident of Missouri can access high-speed internet—furthering the goal Congress set forth in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

We commend the NTIA and the Department of Commerce for issuing a policy framework that will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and with all deliberate speed. The Missouri State Broadband Office has worked hard to meet the tight deadlines set out by the Policy Notice, while carefully abiding by its core dictates. The Final Proposal embraces these principles, while also adhering to the infrastructure law’s statutory mandates.

We respectfully urge NTIA to approve Missouri’s Final Proposal in a timely manner and without further modifications so that implementation can proceed without delay. Additionally, we look forward to guidance regarding our remaining “non-deployment” funds, which will ensure we maximize the value of our BEAD networks. We stand ready to support this effort and ensure its success.

Thank you for your continued leadership in expanding broadband access and opportunity nationwide.

Sincerely,

Janie Dunning

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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