As part of his statewide listening tour, Governor Mike Parson made a stop in Cape Girardeau yesterday to hear from Southeast Missouri leaders, including many farmers and local members of the Missouri Farm Bureau.
At the David M. Barton Agricultural Research Center, Parson spoke on both infrastructure and workforce development as two of his main areas of focus. But, he also took many questions regarding the lack of broadband internet in rural areas: an issue he empathized with.
“We know, most of us who grew up in rural areas, what it’s like to be out there,” said Parson. ”And most people don’t realize some of us are still on dial up or we don’t even have any at all.”
Parson said he spoke with both the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, and the Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, on the issue when he first took office, and said he will be doing everything he can to make broadband availability move forward for the state of Missouri.
He went on to visit Sikeston and St. Louis, which wrapped up his two-day tour.