Thursday, February 6, 2025

More Broadband Projects Approved

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

The Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) recently approved 12 broadband infrastructure projects totaling $32.5 million to be funded by the Capital Projects Fund (CPF).
“Mississippi continues to make incredible progress when it comes to expanding broadband across the state,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “These twelve projects will go a long way toward ensuring Mississippians have the broadband access they need.”
Approved project locations by county:
  • Amite County – Swyft Fiber
  • Calhoun County – Bruce Telephone Company
  • Covington County – Swyft Fiber
  • Hinds County – CSpire
  • Jasper County – TEC
  • Lamar County – CSpire
  • Lawrence County – TEC
  • Leake County – TEC
  • Panola County – TVI Fiber
  • Pontotoc County – We Connect Communications
  • Scott County – TEC
  • Tate County – CSpire
  • Tate County – TVI Fiber
These 12 CPF projects will provide $32.5 million of grant funding to build internet services to approximately 9,000 households in portions of 12 counties across the state. Last year BEAM approved 37 other CPF projects totaling $100 million to serve approximately 42,000 households across the state.
Additionally, BEAM has made $878,000 in awards in a smaller CPF category for public wi-fi projects. These funds were applied for by and awarded to internet providers to build wi-fi in public places (downtowns, parks, volunteer fire stations, etc.) for individuals to utilize for school, telehealth, or similar uses.
 
Program guidelines from the US Department of Treasury require all projects funded by CPF to be completed by December 31, 2026.
Mississippi’s $162 million in CPF funding is only one of the investments in Mississippi broadband that is to be administered by the BEAM office. BEAM is currently overseeing the $32 million Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) projects (14 projects in 10 counties) that are all nearing completion. BEAM is also completing requirements to access $1.2 billion in funding provided by the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant, and overseeing the $10.7 million State Digital Skills and Accessibility grant – both from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Citizens are encouraged to visit the Mississippi broadband map available at www.broadbandms.com. The map shows available service at each household, as well as locations that already have federal funding for service expansion. BEAM can also be reached by phone at 601-359-5029 or by email at info@beam.ms.gov if you have questions.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great, now that we've all had to buy Starlink. Too little too late

Anonymous said...

I would check the map, but that's hard to do with nonexistent AT&T internet service...

Anonymous said...

More pork to add to the national debt!

Anonymous said...

More government handouts to private businesses. Hypothetically, if I were inclined to start up an isp, how much in campaign contributions is required to get a handout like this? Is it just Tate that needs to be taken care of or is it his whole executive crew plus the legislature side?

Anonymous said...

Maps has errors. I'm in the area annexed by Clinton years ago. ATT copper w/6 Mps best case = unserved [per BEAM criteria]. Map shows my address with smoking fast Xfinity = served. Submitted documentation to BEAM many months ago that Xfinity does not serve this area. I'm sure this will work out fine.

Anonymous said...

2:17, they don't care. This is all about press releases and doling out funds to these favored contributors, I mean communications companies. Besides CSpire, have you heard of any of these "companies?"

Anonymous said...

3:08, or they don't want a monopoly by giving all the money to one or two companies.

Anonymous said...

Democrats will be happy! The interwebs is a human right!

Anonymous said...

more corporate welfare

Anonymous said...

yes, a pig has many nipples.

Anonymous said...

A lot of the new fiber ISPs are connected to electric Co-ops around the state.

Anonymous said...

Over $3,600 per household. Appears to be a sound business plan. But it's free money!!

Anonymous said...

Let me get this straight. You can buy a Starlink starter kit for $350. So 9000 homes x $350 = $3,150,000. Each subscriber would get unlimited data for $120 per month which is equivalent to fiber costs. Please explain why we’re spending $32,500,000 for same coverage?

Anonymous said...

Yes 4:47. Brandon Presley made sure the co-op customers had a chance at internet. But not those of us who get our power from the great and mighty Entergy.
The beam map shows my address in the adjacent county. When I contacted them after Sally Doty got on Supertalk telling everyone to check the maps, I was told those were FCC maps. I would have to take it up with them. Looks like starlink is my only option in my little corner of the county.

Anonymous said...

@5:37 - While Starlink has it's place, fiber service is way better. No drop outs during thunderstorms, static IP addresses (not available from Starlink) and huge improvements in speed. My Starlink will be gone as soon as fiber is available in my area.



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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