Rural internet signup said to be fake news

Social media posts about Neshoba County residents being able to sign up for broadband internet services through East Mississippi Electric Power Association (EMEPA) are false, officials have said. 

A false Facebook post says, “If you live in Neshoba County and are serviced by Central Electric, please go to this link that is with East Mississippi Connect and sign up saying you have interest in this internet. It will be the only chance rural Neshoba County has to have broadband internet. This only takes 2 minutes. SignUp - East Mississippi Connect.”

According to East MS Connect, the information is not accurate and did not originate from East MS Connect or EMEPA. 

“Although we understand the frustration of residents in areas that do not have access to broadband services, as a not-for-profit electric cooperative, EMEPA must maintain our focus on serving our members,” EMEPA officials said.

East MS Connect primarily provides services to Winston, Kemper, Lauderdale, and Clarke counties and small portions of surrounding counties along the edge of the service area that EMEPA serves.

Neshoba County is served by the Central Electric Power Association.

“EMEPA has received no funding to build a fiber network outside of our service area and is not financially able to take on such a project currently,” officials said. “We believe cooperatives should work to serve the best interests of their communities as we have done for EMEPA members, and we encourage residents of Neshoba County to work with their local community leaders to find the best solution to meet their community’s needs.”