The State of Missouri received $1.7 billion through the federal Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to bring broadband service to all Missourians. The goal of the BEAD State Challenge Process is to improve the Missouri Broadband Map so that the Office of Broadband Development (OBD) has the most accurate map possible to make funding decisions. BJ Tanksley, Director for the Office of Broadband Development, joins us on the podcast to provide more insight on the challenge, how the public can submit evidence, and what the challenge results could mean regarding broadband access for Missourians. The window for submitting evidence will open today, March 25, 2024, and close on April 23, 2024. For more information, visit https://ded.mo.gov/office-broadband-development/challenge. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to have Digging In sent directly to your smart device each time it's released! Host: Janet Adkison, Missouri Farm Bureau Director of Public Affairs & Advocacy Guest: BJ Tanksley, Director for the Office of Broadband Development Producer: Natalie Ayers, Missouri Farm Bureau Video & Audio Media Specialist