Bonds; create rural counties and municipalities cellular and broadband grant program and authorize issuance of bonds.

HB 269 creates a $15 million state fund to help businesses expand cellular and broadband access in rural Mississippi. It authorizes the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to provide grants covering up to 25% of project costs for businesses serving rural counties (population ≤30,000) or rural municipalities (population ≤10,000). The fund, administered by the MDA, uses state general obligation bonds to finance grants for infrastructure projects, with unspent funds carrying over annually. This directly affects businesses seeking to improve connectivity in underserved rural areas across the state.