A $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will help MEGAPOP reach more communities – and move a step closer to providing consumers broadband service at their homes.

Begun in 2005, MEGAPOP, or the Mississippi Economic Growth Alliance and Point of Presence, is a partnership with Telepak Networks Inc. to provide advanced broadband infrastructure.

The ARC grant, announced by U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., will be used to increase access to broadband services via additional point-of-presence, or POP, locations.

“Technology is changing and advancing every day, and it is essential that north Mississippians have the resources they need to successfully compete in today’s high-tech world,” Childers said. “These significant funds will help ensure that local communities in Mississippi’s First Congressional District, including local schools and hospitals, have access to up-to-date broadband services and other important telecommunications technologies.”

Morgan Baldwin of MEGAPOP said the money, matched by another $521,106 by Telepak, will help build a sub-ring that will connect Tupelo to Corinth, across to Walnut, down to Pontotoc and back to Tupelo.

“This is part of a larger piece that we’re in the process of applying for money to expand the backbone more and to eventually bring fiber to the home,” he said.

The grant will help build the sub-ring, which will provide greater capacity to commercial users at more competitive rates, Baldwin said. It should be in place by the first quarter of 2010.

Broadband access is touted by its proponents as an asset in economic development and business retention. Increased broadband availability also helps educational institutions by providing distance-learning applications and providing students with Internet access.

Also, supporters also say that broadband access benefits the health care sector, which can use it to provide specialized health care.