Rural internet access is a key factor in improving the attractiveness of Mississippi, says Brandon Presley, commissioner for the Northern District of the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
Presley spoke on the subject Wednesday during a meeting of the Greenwood Voters League.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic changed the game and exposed weaknesses in Mississippi that should be considered “unacceptable.”
He said not having internet in 2022 “would be like in the 1970s not having electricity in a house.”
As an example, he told a story about a woman living in French Camp — a parent of three children looking to become a registered nurse and taking online classes for her degree.
However, he said, because she did not have internet access in her home, she had to sit outside the local library, rain or shine, to find a connection.
“Everybody saw people have to sit outside of McDonald’s and libraries during this COVID pandemic to do their homework,” he said. “That is unacceptable. It has to be unacceptable for the state of Mississippi.”
The state is turning the corner, he said, and is now leading the largest expansion of rural internet access in the entire country.
He said $54 million in grant funds have been used in partnerships with companies such as Delta Electric Power Association.
He said a recent talk with David O’Bryan, Delta Electric’s general manager, revealed the company has invested $25 million in rural internet expansion and has more than 2,100 customers.
“If you live in rural Leflore County, you should have the same opportunities of somebody living in downtown Jackson, Mississippi,” he said. “If you live in Greenwood, you should have those same opportunities.”
Along with rural internet expansion, he said progress must be made on mental health treatment, economic development and quality of life. Without improvements, he said, Mississippi will drive away more of its population. He said the state was one of three to lose population in the 2020 census and is currently losing young people faster than any other state.
“We’ve got reasons for people to want to move to this state, but we have not done a good job of telling our story,” he said.
- Contact Kevin Edwards at 662-581-7233 or kedwa-rds@gwcommonwealth.com.
