Area internet providers educate public on fiber | News

(PRINCETON, Mo.) One of GRM’s offices hosted the Smart Rural Community providers on Thursday June 27th for presentations on the installation, types, and importance of fiber internet. Not only explaining how fiber goes into the ground but in the air and the many ways it can improve agricultural small-town communities. 

Will McIntee, Director of Strategic Engagement for rural, agricultural, food, nutrition, and more for the White House, appeared at the Fiber Field Day event. 

“GRM has been working to implement a USDA reconnect grant that provides high-speed internet access to over 3100 people, over 500 Farms, 59 small businesses, and nine educational facilities here in Northern Missouri and Southern Iowa,” said McIntee. “The overall investment of about $65 billion has been invested across the country to connect every American to high-speed internet access, whether at home, on a farm, or in a small business.”

Getting major companies to work together for a common goal is a significant achievement that has not been lost on BJ Tanksley, Director of the Office of Broadband Development for the Missouri Department of Economic Development. 

“We’re at the standpoint of a once-in-a-lifetime funding opportunity,” Tanksley taught. “If all we do is fight amongst ourselves, we’ll only get this much done. But if we work together, in the places that providers can go efficiently, we can make that money go much further.”

Also present at the field day were area Future Farmers of America members from local high schools who talked with attendees about the importance of a good internet connection in small towns. 

Not only do farmers need internet for specific tools like GPS and more, but also to know how well the farm is doing, according to Ashlynd Seamster of South Harrison FFA. 

“We’ve got to have marketing to be able to run all your skills, to be able to call your sales, for marketing, or like my SAE, I work at a coffee shop in town,” shared Steamster. “How many sales do you bring in a day? Like farmers, you have to happen to know how much money they’re bringing in a day with referrals.” 

Click here for more information on the Connecting All Missourians programs through the Digital Equity Act and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.