Missourians can expect better cell service and connectivity due to $7.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Fourteen projects received funding through the state’s Cell Towers Grant Program to provide quality cellular service and greater 911 connectivity to high-need areas throughout Missouri, the Missouri Department of Economic Development announced in a news release. This is the second round of funding to the Cell Towers Grant Program, which aims to improve cellular service accessibility statewide.
These projects are expected to fill service gaps in more than 18,000 underserved zones. Each awarded project equals one new cellular tower, making a total of 14 new towers to be built in Missouri.
In Boone County, a new cellular tower will be constructed near Murry, about 10 miles northeast of Columbia, according to the department’s projects summary. It is expected to enhance cellular service and provide 5G network to structures in Boone, Callaway and Audrain counties. The estimated completion date for the project is Jan. 2, 2026.
“As a result of this program, thousands of locations lacking adequate coverage will now receive quality, reliable cellular connectivity,” Gov. Mike Parson said in the release.
Gov. Parson expressed his belief that the program will “further promote economic growth and public safety statewide.”
According to the release, more than $3 million from the second round of funding will be granted to Branch Towers VI LLC for five new cellphone towers in central and northeast Missouri. Those towers will serve Lincoln, Pike, Maries, Osage, Pettis, Saline, Boone, Callaway, Audrain, Cole and Miller counties.
To decide which projects were awarded the grant, the Office of Broadband Development tested how many homes would be covered, how far the towers would reach and how reliable voice connection to 911 services would be. Also, areas with fewer than 50 persons per square mile were prioritized, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
“Cellular connectivity is a must-have in today’s economy, and we’re grateful to help deliver this necessity to areas needing it most,” said Michelle Hataway, acting director of the department. “This grant program is helping Missourians prosper by ensuring that more businesses, communities and families can get connected.”
In the first round of funding, $12 million was awarded to 29 projects in October, according to previous Missouri Business Alert reporting.
The department opened the second round of funding through the Cell Towers Grant Program on Oct. 20. All $20 million appropriated by Gov. Parson and the General Assembly has now been awarded to eligible providers and tower owners for the construction of new towers, the release said.
