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JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI -- Press Release from Commissioner Kelvin L. Simmons' office

Office of Administration (OA) Commissioner Kelvin L. Simmons Thursday announced that registration is now open for the Missouri Broadband Summit, which starts at 9 a.m., on Oct. 26-27 at the Truman Hotel in Jefferson City. Registration is free for anyone registering prior to 4 p.m., on Oct. 25. Individuals regis­tering after this time should register on-site and will incur a $30 registration fee. Gov. Jay Nixon will welcome attendees on Oct. 26.

The broadband summit will bring together individuals representing citizens, Internet providers, regional groups, and representatives from industry sectors such as schools and businesses who are committed to the development of broadband in Missouri. Missouri has been extremely successful in obtaining $261 million in broadband grants from federal agencies in the rounds of federal funding that ended last month. 

“Missouri competed aggressively for broadband funding and our hard work has paid off tremendously,” said Simmons.  “Now, we need citizens and business leaders to be involved in planning the improvement of broadband access and services in Missouri.”

The summit will provide education on the current state of broadband availability in Missouri, the obstacles faced and the efforts to improve that availability. In addition, participants will discuss the possibilities and opportunities provided by broadband for citizens, businesses, and governments. It will also include focused technology breakout sessions on relevant topics such as telemedicine, distance learning, services to citizens, and others.

Persons wanting to attend the summit can register online or view the conference agenda at:  http://muconf.missouri.edu/MoBroadband.

“There is still plenty to accomplish to make broadband a reality throughout the state,” said Simmons. “Thus, we encourage citizens to sign up for the conference and stay involved in our continuing planning process.”

The summit will kick-off a long-term planning effort to ensure continued enhancement of broadband access and ensure that the infrastructure meets the needs of citizens, businesses, and government.  Following the Broadband Summit, the state’s 19 Regional Planning Commissions will develop specific plans for every area of the state.  This grassroots effort is designed to allow Missourians the opportunity to provide input.

The planning activities that will follow the summit are funded by a $4.6 million Mapping and Planning Federal Broadband Grant awarded to the OA.  The grant will allow for the creation of broadband regional technology planning teams in each of the state’s 19 regional planning commission areas.  The teams will include representatives from schools, higher education, libraries, workforce development agencies, health care, business and industry, local government, economic development, broadband providers, and many additional areas reflecting the interest and needs of the state. 

The regional broadband planning teams will:

·        Allow a collaborative approach to ensure that these investments, and those in the future, meet the needs of our citizens, businesses, and governments;

·        Host at least three dedicated meetings over 18 months to help identify and discuss the needs, as well as strengths in each community; and

·        Listen to the voices in their communities, assess the current status of broadband in the area, research and analyze the needs of the community; and ultimately develop and implement a strategic broadband and technology plan in each region.