Gov. Nixon Helps Mark Completion of First Phase of Bew Broadband Network in Northeast Missouri; Ralls County Project is Key Part of MoBroadbandNow Initiative

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon was in Ralls County today to help mark the completion of phase one of the first federally funded broadband expansion projects in the country. The project by Ralls County Electric Cooperative, which received $19.1 million in Recovery Act funding, will be able to provide high-speed broadband service to some 4,500 homes, businesses, public agencies, and other customers when completed in May 2013.

The Ralls County project is a cornerstone of the MoBroadbandNow initiative, launched by Gov. Nixon in 2009 to greatly expand broadband in Missouri to reach more homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and public safety agencies. Over the next few years, Missouri will see a total investment of $311 million to expand broadband throughout the state, through a combination of federal, state, local and private sector resources.

"Today is the first of many days over the next few years that we can celebrate the continued expansion of broadband in Missouri," Gov. Nixon said during a ceremony at the Ralls County Electric Cooperative. "Through a well-planned and well-executed effort, the MoBroadbandNow partnership delivered the federal funding to make this possible, creating jobs and bringing high-speed communication tools to parts of Missouri where they didn't exist.

"This project and others throughout the state will benefit consumers, commerce, education, health care and public safety in rural areas and smaller towns by enabling them to move vital information at speeds that had been limited to larger towns and cities," the Governor said. "We want Missourians to have the same rapid and efficient communications tools, no matter where they live."

During the first phase, Ralls County Electric Cooperative constructed 450 miles of fiber, passing 1,900 homes and businesses and other customers. When completed by May 2013, the entire project will encompass more than 1,200 miles of fiber and some 4,500 homes and businesses. Customers will continue to be connected to the new network throughout the construction project.

Today's event in northeast Missouri follows the announcement on May 17 by Google that it will be bring ultra high-speed broadband to Kansas City, Mo. Gov. Nixon said Google's efforts aligned with the state-wide and local efforts of MoBroadbandNow.

"The combination of these two technology initiatives will dramatically increase the reach of broadband access in Missouri," Gov. Nixon said. "That puts us in an ideal position to create thousands of new jobs, and to generate millions of dollars more in vital investments in technology and infrastructure. It will also enhance education, healthcare, public safety and community enrichment, providing long-term benefits to the businesses and people of our state."

The Governor was joined at today's ceremony in New London by officers from Ralls County Electric Cooperative and the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives; by officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the USDA Rural Utilities Service, the agency that provided the federal funding for the project; and by representatives of Pulse Broadband, the contractor for the Ralls County REC project.

Source