Pontotoc EPA only co-op in North Mississippi not moving forward to get part of $75 million in high speed internet grants

Pontotoc was the 2nd co-op electric power company to form in the country. The member owned EPA is not taking the same lead when it comes to broadband internet services to their member owners.

$75 million is being awarded to electric co-ops in the area in the form of grants for the installation of these services.

In April, the board of PEPA decided not to move forward with offering high speed internet.

“After careful and long deliberations, the Board of Directors of Pontotoc Electric Power Association has voted to discontinue the fiber-to-the-home project at this time,” the EPA said on their website at the time.

Fast forward to today, and there are hundred of millions of dollars in grants available and an even bigger need today than when the initial studies were done due to the need for remote work and remote learning.

In North Mississippi, here are the co-ops who applied for the available grant money and how much they are getting.

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley called this influx of money a once in a lifetime opportunity which is available to what Presley called one of the most disconnected areas anywhere.

“We are back to square one,” Presley said.