Aristotle Partners with Communities Unlimited to Connect Rural Communities

Aristotle partners with the Broadband Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) to connect some of the most disconnected rural communities in the Mississippi Delta, including Bentonia, Mississippi, where Aristotle recently deployed a public Wi-Fi system in downtown Bentonia, providing a much-needed access point for residents.

Aristotle has already begun deploying fixed wireless service with speeds up to 100/20 Mbps and plans to bring fiber to Bentonia once Mississippi’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program awards funding.

CU began working with Bentonia in early 2024 as part of a USDA Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) initiative focused on Delta communities. Their engagement started with a community broadband assessment and public meetings to better understand local needs. CU helped residents learn about their broadband options, digital literacy, and available funding — but perhaps most critically, CU facilitated the connection between Bentonia’s leadership and Aristotle’s team.