Treasury Department Approves of Federal Funds to Connect Over 47,300 Mississippians

The US Department of the Treasury approved the use of $151.5 million for high-speed internet projects in Mississippi under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund (CPF). Mississippi is approved to receive $151.5 million for broadband infrastructure projects, which the state estimates will connect approximately 47,300 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. Mississippi’s funding will go to the Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) fund, a new competitive grant program designed to fund three types of broadband investments: large-scale projects, line extensions, and community-based broadband projects. The BEAM fund will prioritize last-mile fiber applicants for large-scale and line extension projects and will prioritize high-speed, reliable internet to downtown commercial areas for community-based broadband projects. The plan approved by the Treasury Department represents 93% of the state’s total allocation under the CPF program. Mississippi submitted plans for the remainder of their CPF funds and these plans are currently under review by the Treasury Department.