Hinds County will soon be holding a series of meetings to discuss broadband and how to ensure people do not continue to be “cut off from the real world” with lack of internet access.
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors announced this week a schedule of emergency broadband community meetings, urging residents, community leaders, and technology providers to attend. The issue of slow or no internet is being seen in the rural parts of the county, according to a release.
“These are not future concerns. We are already seeing people cut off from the outside world,” Hinds County Broadband Coordinator Felicia Tripp said. “We must act now to ensure no one in Hinds County is left behind.
The release added that lack of internet access is due to a combination of issues, including copper wire theft, the phase-out of traditional landline services, and deficient broadband infrastructure. Seniors and low-income families are seeing the worst of it, officials said.
“In areas where mobile and internet-based services are weak or nonexistent, residents are increasingly vulnerable during emergencies, power outages, and everyday life,” a portion of the release reads.
The following slate of meetings, which will each begin at 6 p.m., was announced:
- Monday, May 19: Bellmont Missionary Baptist Church in Raymond
- Tuesday, May 20: Utica Community Center in Utica
- Thursday, May 22: Town of Terry Community Center in Terry
- Thursday, May 29: Ratliff Missionary Baptist Church in Edwards
The meetings will serve as both public forums and action-planning sessions to determine how federal funding through the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and state-level support through the Broadband Expansion and Accessibility Mississippi (BEAM) office could help address the digital divide in Hinds County.
“This is about public safety, dignity, and basic access to modern life,” Hinds County Supervisor Wanda Evers said. “No one should be disconnected simply because of where they live.”
