DELTA COMPASS - WCEA PROVIDES GRANT TO MISSISSIPPI BROADBAND ASSOCIATION
Aug 8, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [Hillary Boggs], [hboggs@wceams.com]
DELTA COMPASS - WCEA PROVIDES GRANT TO MISSISSIPPI BROADBAND ASSOCIATION
[Greenville, Mississippi] – August 9, 2024, Delta Compass – Washington County Economic Alliance President & CEO, Justin Archer Burch, is pleased to announce a grant of $10,000 to Mississippi Broadband Association (MSBA) for digital equity curriculum. “In an age where the Delta is stigmatized as ‘last’, this is a remarkable example of us not only being first but benefiting the other regions of Mississippi,” said Burch. The grant was extended to MSBA to support their purchase and deployment of The Enterprise – a digital literacy curriculum being deployed statewide. Initial investments were made in Warren and Coahoma Counties with work to begin soon in Washington County and beyond.
Mississippi Broadband Association is a digital inclusion nonprofit who works exclusively through local stakeholders and partners throughout Mississippi to provide affordable connectivity, digital literacy, and device ownership. MSBA has a common vision where once Mississippians have conquered the barriers to digital inclusion, they are afforded all the opportunities connectivity has to offer. “Digital Skills and Opportunity work is how the Mississippi Broadband Association (MSBA) plans to reach those who have historically been left behind by giving them the tools and opportunities broadband connectivity has to offer. In assisting a wide range of covered populations across Mississippi to remove barriers to broadband utilization is a huge leap in addressing a wide range of socio-economic issues facing a large segment of Mississippi’s population,” said Quinn Jordan, Executive Director of MSBA.
Delta Compass - WCEA are proud to support these efforts as 19-29% of poor Mississippians will need help with digital inclusion. “We are thrilled to partner with the Mississippi Broadband Association and further their mission of expanding broadband to underserved areas such as those within the Mississippi Delta,” stated Parker England, Board Chairman of WCEA. Delta Compass – WCEA will continue to grow capacity in the Mississippi Delta to ensure we are a 21st century economy. “The fourth wave industrial revolution will be digital, and it is upon us,” said Burch. Delta Compass - WCEA recently were awarded a Broadband Technical Assistance grant in the amount of $250,000 to work across Washington County with an equity focus on Leland, Hollandale, and Arcola. In addition, Delta Compass - WCEA have contracted with Communities Unlimited for a $50,000 investment to assist Washington County in building out a digital roadmap and to reduce barriers for ISPs to deploy last mile coverage.
About Delta Compass
Delta Compass is a new 501(c)(3) economic development and inclusion intermediary serving the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta. A first of its kind for the region, Delta Compass is setting a new strategic direction for the region. By aligning a network of local, regional, and national organizations, we work together to ensure the Mississippi River Delta collaborates towards economic and community prosperity by creating an inclusive economy, strong communities, and resilient people. Our mission is to ensure that the Mississippi River Delta is a viable 21st century economy by promoting the region as a best practice for work, play, and innovation. Learn more at www.deltacompass.org.