Mississippi
Public Engagement
Mississippi used the Digital Equity Planning grant to conduct over 80 community engagement events, including events in the most rural parts of the state. The state tailored each event for its community, which helped Mississippi determine the needs of its constituents beyond maps and numbers. Stakeholder engagement and local event participation included:
Stakeholder engagement and local event participation included working with the state's community colleges to conduct in-person workshops and gather information on existing digital skills programs in their respective counties.
Fostered relationships with nonprofits in the state to guarantee that small communities (which are mostly economically distressed) will have access to the resources they need during the challenge process and to assess the need of their communities.
Developed a partnership with Mississippi State University Extension Service to catalog existing digital skills training programs, device loan programs, and other important digital asset programs.
Promoting Federal Partnerships
The State of Mississippi received $151.4 million through the Capital Projects Fund (CPF). The state received over 100 applications during the challenge period. This funding, coupled with Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding, will help the state reduce the number of unserved locations and achieve Internet for All Mississippians.
Mapping
With Ready.net’s support, Mississippi built a user-friendly map for Mississippians to use and conduct speed testing. Constituents can enter their address and test their Internet speed. Over 1,200 people have taken the speed test so far.