Mississippi Delta Community College Awarded $50,000 Grant from Delta Compass to Expand Fiber Optic Training

MOORHEAD, MS (Nov. 20, 2025) – Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Delta Compass to expand its fiber optic training program, a key investment in building the skilled workforce needed to support rural broadband deployment across Washington County and the greater Mississippi Delta.

This funding responds directly to critical workforce needs identified by the Washington County Economic Alliance (WCEA) through its USDA-supported broadband initiative. The project aims to strengthen connectivity in Hollandale, Leland, Stoneville, and Winterville—communities where improved broadband access is essential to economic growth, educational opportunity, and overall quality of life.

With the grant, MDCC will train and credential additional fiber optic technicians, equipping Washington County residents with industry-recognized skills in broadband installation and maintenance. This expansion will help meet the region’s rising demand for qualified broadband professionals while creating pathways to high-wage, high-demand careers.

“These funds offer the participants financial support to offset living expenses and other related costs as they go through the program,” said Douglas Freeze, MDCC Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development. “Through limited philanthropy support, we have been able to offer small stipends occasionally to our Fiber program participants, but not in a consistent manner. As we’ve seen with the aviation and lineman programs, this stipend will encourage and promote both recruitment and retention.”

“We are deeply grateful to Justin Archer Burch and Delta Compass for their generous $50,000 grant award to expand our Fiber Optics Training Program here at Mississippi Delta Community College,” said MDCC President Dr. Steven Jones. “This investment will help us train more students in high-demand broadband technologies and strengthen the workforce that keeps our communities connected.

“At MDCC, we know that grant funding is essential to the work we do. These partnerships allow us to provide cutting-edge training programs, equip our labs with the latest technology, and offer hands-on learning opportunities that directly prepare students for well-paying, sustainable careers.

“Expanding broadband access across the Mississippi Delta’s rural areas is not just about technology—it’s about equity, opportunity, and growth. Reliable broadband opens doors for education, healthcare, business, and innovation in every corner of our region. By training the next generation of fiber optics technicians, we’re helping to lay the groundwork—quite literally—for a stronger and more connected Delta.

“Thank you again to Delta Compass for your continued partnership and support. Together, we’re ensuring that progress reaches every community we serve.”

“Broadband access is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for education, healthcare, and economic development,” said Justin Archer Burch, President & CEO of Delta Compass. “This grant ensures that our region is not only building broadband infrastructure but also investing in the people who will make it possible. By training local residents, we are creating jobs, keeping talent in the Delta, and laying the foundation for inclusive growth.”

The partnership between Mississippi Delta Community College, Delta Compass, and WCEA represents a shared commitment to bridging the digital divide and strengthening rural Mississippi’s workforce. Together, these organizations are investing in the Delta’s digital future and creating a more connected, resilient Washington County.