Dave Faucett, community planner for the Center for Resource Planning and Management (CRPM) and the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) at Missouri State University, received a $22,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce via the Missouri Office of Administration.

The grant is part of the MoBroadbandNow initiative created by Gov. Jay Nixon. The purpose of the initiative is to build broadband access in all areas of the state. The initiative includes infrastructure projects and the development of Regional Technology Planning Teams (RTPTs). SMCOG is coordinating the efforts of a RTPT that will represent 10 counties in southwest Missouri.

“The overall mission of each RTPT is to advance broadband demand and adoption, and broadband service and infrastructure availability within the region,” said Faucett.

The grant will be used to conduct a broadband needs assessment for key sectors in the region and for the development of a strategic plan. The strategic plan will include measurable goals, objectives and benchmarks that will help keep the effort on track in the following years.

Faucett said this is a vital project for southwest Missouri. The expansion of broadband can enhance the opportunities for current businesses while providing infrastructure to attract entrepreneurs and technology-based companies that would otherwise not have considered locating in particular areas of the region.

“This is an exciting opportunity to level the playing field for southwest Missouri. MoBroadbandNow is a transformative 21st century infrastructure project akin to the transcontinental railroad and the advent of the Interstate Highway System,” said Faucett.

For more information, contact Faucett at (417) 836-6901.