UScellular officials announce the company has been awarded more than $5.8 million from the Missouri Cell Towers Grant Program to enhance mobile and in-home connectivity in several counties across the state.
The Missouri Cell Towers Grant Program is managed by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. It is focused on investing in the expansion of cellular service statewide.
With this funding, UScellular will build 11 new cell sites to provide additional wireless coverage in 19 counties including Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Texas and Wright, locally. Other counties included are Adair, Audrain, Clark, Knox, Laclede, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland and Shelby.
“We commend the DED for their commitment to providing reliable wireless connectivity to the hardest-to-reach areas of our state,” said Mike Burwell, director of sales and operations for UScellular in Missouri. “Investing in wireless technology enhances public safety and helps ensure people have essential connectivity whenever and wherever needed. We look forward to putting this grant to work.”
Building and maintaining a new cell tower in rural areas can cost twice as much as building one in an urban center, so programs like this are important to help wireless carriers connect residents quickly and efficiently, company officials point out. UScellular expects the new towers to be built and in service by late 2025.
More information on UScellular’s approach to bridging the digital divide is available at www.newsroom.uscellular/connecting-us.
