Three total projects have been completed in the Mississippi Electric Cooperatives Broadband COVID-19 Act so far in 2021.

The Mississippi Public Service Commission and Public Utilities Staff announced that all $75 million of state-granted funding has been spent and 3,611 miles of fiber have been constructed.

“I am very proud of the progress this program has made so far and what this grant money has done for our state,” PSC Chairman Dane Maxwell said. “We will continue to work on projects, partnerships and initiatives to further connect Mississippians to essential services like broadband internet.”

Many Electric Coops across the state are still in the process of filing for internet provider status with the PSC, and more completed projects are expected throughout the state in 2021.

The MEC Broadband COVID-19 Act was passed by the Legislature in 2020 making it the largest funding of rural broadband in the state’s history. The PSC and Public Utilities Staff worked closely alongside Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Sen. Joel Carter, Speaker Philip Gunn and Rep. Scott Bounds to make the progress possible.