24 January 2025 |

90% of Locations Receive an Initial Bid

Missouri’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) announced on February 21 that it received 519 BEAD applications in the first phase of Round 1, which closed on February 20, 2025. The applications cover 192,284 homes and businesses, representing 90% of eligible locations for the state’s $1.7 billion BEAD program.

Missouri has identified 213,404 locations as eligible for BEAD funding, indicating they are unserved or underserved. Eligible locations and funding sources are published on the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Broadband Eligibility Map.

Missouri’s Broadband Eligibility Map for BEAD Funding

Missouri’s Broadband Eligibility Map for BEAD Funding

On to Final Offer Round

Missouri BEAD grant Applicants for projects scoring in the top two for an application area will be asked to submit a final offer. This ensures that the most competitive and impactful projects receive funding to maximize broadband expansion.

Announcement of Sub-Round for Remaining Locations

Given that not all locations received a bid, Missouri’s OBD is opening Sub-Round 1, allowing additional applications for 21,120 locations across 444 application areas that did not receive an application during the primary phase. This sub-round will remain open for 30 days, closing on March 22, 2025.

Notably, the previous $300 million cap on funding requests per applicant has been lifted for Sub-Round 1, enabling applicants to seek as much funding as needed to serve these remaining locations.

To assist applicants in identifying eligible areas, OBD has published a comprehensive list of application areas and broadband-serviceable locations.

Pre-Qualification Requirements

Pre-qualified applicants from Round 1 will keep their status for Sub-Round 1. However, those who skipped pre-qualification must complete it first. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025.

Missouri Department of Economic Development

Missouri Department of Economic Development logo

About the Missouri OBD

The Missouri Office of Broadband Development (OBD) launched in 2018. It oversees the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. OBD distributes federal BEAD funds to expand broadband access. It ensures projects align with state priorities and serve unserved and underserved communities. The office manages applications, reviews proposals, and builds strategic partnerships to maximize funding impact.

In 2018, Missouri set a state standard for internet access. It defined “underserved areas” as lacking wireline or fixed wireless speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps. It classified “unserved areas” as those without at least 10/1 Mbps. This law highlighted Missouri’s commitment to expanding internet access.

In addition to $1.7 billion in BEAD funding, Missouri’s broadband expansion efforts include other funding sources:

  • Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program – $1.7 billion in federal funding allocated to Missouri through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – Funding from the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to support broadband infrastructure.
  • Missouri’s Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program – State-level funding to expand broadband access in underserved areas.
  • ReConnect Program (USDA) – Federal grants and loans aimed at improving broadband access in rural areas.
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Programs – Includes Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and Connect America Fund (CAF) to subsidize broadband deployment.
  • Public-Private Partnerships – Collaborations between state agencies, local governments, and private broadband providers.
  • Local and Regional Investments – Funding from counties, municipalities, and regional planning organizations to support broadband projects.
  • Nonprofit and Philanthropic Contributions – Support from organizations dedicated to closing the digital divide.

Missouri’s Five-Year Action Plan for Broadband On Track

Missouri’s BEAD Five-Year Action Plan outlines a path to universal broadband by 2028. Now in the bidding phase with strong ISP interest, the state is on track to deliver high-speed internet to all eligible locations.

For More Information about the BEAD Program

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Tags: BEAD, BEAD Funds, BEAD program, Broadband Equity Access & Deployment (BEAD) Program, broadband expansion, Internet for All, Rural Internet,

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