January 29, 2021

Dear Friend,

Access to rural broadband is critical to the success of North Mississippi. For years, our corporate partners have been trying to reach homes with some success. In 2018, the Mississippi State Legislature provided an enormous boost to this effort when they allowed our rural electric power cooperatives to begin providing this essential service. I am proud of the strides they are making in connecting rural homes to the world. Federal resources have also played an essential role in the effort to enhance telehealth services, distance learning, and teleworking capabilities. High-speed internet is also a critical tool to attract businesses and industries to our great state. At this hour, crews are hanging fiber along numerous rural highways and back roads across Mississippi. To date, an estimated 5,000 miles of fiber have been hung by 15 Mississippi electric power associations - a great accomplishment. I will continue to look for federal resources to help our First District providers, including the Prentiss County Electric Power Association.

Ronnie Rowland, Prentiss County Electric Power Association General Manager, said PCEPA is making great progress to connect an estimated 12,000 members. "The significant progress being made every day is going to achieve critical goals, including enhanced telemedicine and distance learning," Rowland said. "Additionally, coops are not-for-profit, which means all revenue earned will be left in the service area after loans are paid off. Ultimately, this will mean better service and more money on the tax rolls. This is a win-win for everyone."  

Prentiss County School District Superintendent Jeff Palmer said district officials formulated a plan to meet their needs. "We have not had to completely shut down," Palmer said. "CARES Act funding enabled us to place an iPad in the hands of every student. We now have Wi-Fi hotspots to send home with many students with limited or no internet access. We were also able to hire two teachers who serve as technology coaches to help our other teachers make the best use of technology in and out of the classroom. Our schools have Wi-Fi that is accessible in the parking lots. Funding also covered digital temperature devices, handwashing stations, and sanitizing products that clean classrooms and busses more efficiently. It has been a challenging time for our schools, but we are managing well."

Devan Tate, a Prentiss County School District teacher, said he is thankful for the iPads and other tools available to teachers and students. "So much has changed now," Mr. Tate said. "Wi-Fi access is much more widespread. We are trying to get every student used to different formats. All students have internet access which is vital should the schools ever be forced to close at a moment's notice."

Welcome back to the First Congressional District! After performing an outstanding job as our Legislative Director in our Washington, D.C., office, Adam Grubbs, Deputy District Director, has returned to his Mississippi roots. He has a great deal of experience working with our constituents and will be pleased to assist you. Adam has already begun outreach services by attending a variety of events and meetings in the district. Adam primarily assists constituents in Benton, Marshall, DeSoto, Tate, Lafayette, and Calhoun county. You can contact him at our Hernando office (662) 449-3090 or send him an email at Adam.Grubbs@mail.house.gov.

I am proud to have members of our Washington, D.C., team join Adam Grubbs to meet with our partners in the First Congressional District, including Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Administrator Mitch Mays. Rodney Hall, Legislative Director, and Semaj Redd, our Staff Assistant and Internships Coordinator, also visited Columbus Air Force Base, Airbus Helicopters, and the Golden Triangle Regional Airport. They discussed defense and transportation issues with constituents to prepare for the 117th Congress' National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and any transportation priorities this year.

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