Towns all over the state of Arkansas are now set up to get an upgrade in high-speed Internet options. A federal program is funding the effort to the tune of nearly $6 million. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced Thursday that Arkansas received its first “Internet for All” grants […]
Get monthly discounts on high speed internet through Federal program
High speed internet is now more affordable through a Federal Act, says Governor Asa Hutchinson, but most who are eligible have yet to enroll. Hutchinson made an announcement Wednesday about this first-in-the-nation partnership with national non-profit, EducationSuperHighway, to develop programs and implement best practices to address broadband affordability in the state. According to a statement […]
The US Treasury announced $47.5 million going to Arkansas to increase access to affordable broadband internet
On Tuesday, August 30, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the approval of an additional group of five states under the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF): Connecticut, Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Arkansas. The State of Arkansas, approved for $47.5 million, estimates it will connect 5,500 homes and businesses by building high-speed […]
Take the internet speed test to help Arkansas report broadband needs to Delta Regional Authority
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announces the launch of the Delta Broadband Mapping Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening broadband infrastructure that supports telehealth, distance learning, and remote work throughout the 252 counties and parishes of the eight-state DRA region. The initiative encourages residents to participate in the free, anonymous Delta Speed Test, conducted through […]
Whose broadband is where? Governor releases map of high-speed internet choices in Arkansas
There’s now a map to help Arkansans find a broadband internet provider. Go to the map, type in your address and see the choices in the text sidebar. (Note that for Saline County, you will get one result called CoBridge. That’s actually Fidelity Communications.) The Arkansas State Broadband Map will allow Arkansans to pinpoint broadband […]
Bauxite, Sardis, Chicot & East End areas could get broadband if residents take speed test
Bauxite, Sardis, Chicot and East End residents in Saline County may remember being left out of the areas benefiting from a recent $3 million grant for broadband internet improvements. Now is your chance to change that. Saline County Judge Jeff Arey announced the opportunity to apply for an additional grant through the Arkansas Rural Connect […]
Saline County reveals what communities will benefit from broadband internet grant
Some remote areas of the county will be getting broadband internet soon. We heard about Saline County’s nearly $3 million grant last week, and now we know where it will be applied. The Arkansas Department of Commerce awarded Saline county $2,950,000 from its Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC) broadband grant program to serve several communities in […]
Saline County to get a share of $100M in additional grant funding for high speed internet in rural areas
The Arkansas Department of Commerce recently announced that companies capable of deploying broadband to rural Arkansas are now eligible to apply for an Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC) grant. The Arkansas Legislative Council executive subcommittee approved the change outlined in a supplemental emergency ARC rule this week. The approved rule also gives further flexibility to the […]
Governor announces $10 million for Wi-Fi access devices for Arkansas Schools
Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) has signed agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile to purchase Wi-Fi access points and data plans at a reduced cost for every school district in the state. Students will receive the devices and internet access at no cost. ADE will fund the project with $10 […]
This Resident Survey Could Help the County to Provide Broadband Internet to More Areas
The Saline County government needs residents to take an online survey that could help to reach more areas of the county with fast internet speeds. (Scroll to the end to click to the survey.) Last year, Governor Hutchinson launched the Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC) grant program designed to expand the broadband footprint in rural Arkansas […]