THE MISSOURI UNIVERSAL SERVICE BOARD, INC. WAS ORGANIZED AS A NON-PROFIT, PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION ON MAY 20, 1998 UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI. THE ORGANIZATION WAS CREATED BY MISSOURI REVISED STATUTE 392.248 AND WAS CHARGED WITH ESTABLISHING A UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MISSOURI'S LOW-INCOME AND DISABLED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSUMERS. THE FUND IS GOVERNED BY THE MISSOURI UNIVERSAL SERVICE BOARD PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT 4 CSR 240-31.