Delta Compass Awards $50,000 Grant to Mississippi Delta Community College to Expand Fiber Optic Training

Oct 14, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Delta Compass Awards $50,000 Grant to Mississippi Delta Community College to Expand Fiber Optic Training

Greenville, MS – Delta Compass has awarded a $50,000 grant to Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) to expand its fiber optic training program, a critical step in preparing the skilled workforce needed to support rural broadband deployment across Washington County and the wider Delta region.

This investment responds directly to a key workforce need identified by the Washington County Economic Alliance (WCEA) through its USDA-backed programming. The initiative focuses on strengthening broadband access in Hollandale, Leland, Stoneville, and Winterville, communities where infrastructure improvements are vital for economic growth, education, and quality of life.

The funds will allow Washington County to deploy more trained technicians into the workforce, ensuring that local residents can meet the rising demand for broadband installation and maintenance in rural areas. By equipping MDCC students with industry-recognized fiber optic skills, Delta Compass and its partners are building both immediate and long-term capacity for the Delta’s digital future.

“This grant supports the kind of hands-on, career-focused training that equips local residents with the skills needed for high-demand jobs in fiber installation and maintenance—skills that are essential as we expand high-speed internet across Mississippi,” said Sally Doty, Director of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi. “Right now, over $150 million in grant-funded broadband projects are under construction across Mississippi, with an additional $500 million in large-scale infrastructure awards being finalized by our office right now. These networks won’t just connect homes and businesses; they’ll create lasting career opportunities for the Mississippians who build and sustain them.”

“Broadband access is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity for education, healthcare, and economic development,” said Justin Archer Burch, President & CEO of Delta Compass. “This grant ensures that our region is not only building broadband infrastructure but also investing in the people who will make it possible. By training local residents, we are creating jobs, keeping talent in the Delta, and laying the foundation for inclusive growth.”

The collaboration between Delta Compass, Mississippi Delta Community College, and WCEA underscores a shared commitment to bridging the digital divide in rural Mississippi. Together, these partners are creating a stronger, more connected future for Washington County.