The Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments is partnering with the University of Missouri Extension (MU) and economic developers, including Atchison County Development Corporation, to expand broadband access in northwest Missouri.
A public forum to discuss broadband access will be held on Tuesday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Velma Houts Building located at 201 East US Highway 136 in Rock Port, Missouri. This public forum is open to all interested persons in Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth Counties. This meeting will include a general presentation and specific information regarding Precision Agriculture.
Utilizing the Digitally Connected Community program through MU as a guide, the group hopes to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to the community and encourage the use of internet-based applications. This work will help transform the community’s health, education, agriculture, and economic opportunities. As part of the planning process, the partners will hold public forums, conduct surveys, and reach out to government, business, and nonprofit organizations – including internet service providers. The goal is to forge a coalition of public and private resources and tailor a proposal to address our Five-County Region’s broadband access and use needs.
Other area meetings will be held on other topics.
• Monday, March 21, at 6:00 p.m., at the Worth County School Library, 510 East Avenue in Grant City, Missouri, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship;
• Thursday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m., at T.J. Hall Community Center, 104 South Main Street in Oregon, Missouri, with an emphasis on e-learning;
• Tuesday, March 29, at 3:00 p.m., at the Nodaway County Administration Building, 403 North Market in Maryville, Missouri, with an emphasis on manufacturing;
• Wednesday, March 30, at 6:00 p.m., at the Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center, 1109 South Birch Street in Albany, Missouri, with an emphasis on telehealth.
The importance of having access to reliable and affordable broadband has gained even more prominence in the region due to the pandemic by accelerating the need for broadband access for education, telemedicine, business, work, and entertainment in northwest Missouri.
More information about the University of Missouri’s Digitally Connected Community Guide Program is available at https://mobroadband.org/digitally-connected-community-guide/. This website also hosts a short survey and speed test accessible via a computer or smartphone, seeking your feedback on our community’s internet access and needs.
For more information on regional broadband planning efforts, contact Kim Mildward, Economic Development Planner with the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments at kim@nwmorcog.org or 660-582-5121 Ext. 2.
