We are still battling COVID-19, and more and more Arkansans are now working remotely.
As we embrace our new normal, access to high speed internet is a growing need in our business and education settings. Some Arkansas communities, mainly rural, have not had access to distance learning and economic development due to the lack of adequate broadband service. As I mentioned, rural and lower income constituent areas are more likely to experience barriers to broadband service, especially during COVID-19.
In response to this need, our 92nd Assembly leadership from the Arkansas House and Senate made a recent request to the CARES Act Steering Committee for $100 million in funding for what is now the Arkansas Rural Connect Program (ARC).
The Committee granted our request and the Arkansas Legislative Council approved the measure.
The ARC program is a grant designed for rural Arkansas communities to expand broadband services. ARC is meant to provide grant resources to qualifying Arkansas communities that have at least 500 people who need new or improved residential broadband services.
This new ARC program continues the work we started in our 2019 92nd Assembly.
In our Regular 2019 Session, we passed Act 198 giving public entities and municipalities options to apply for broadband funding services.
To our detriment, Arkansas ranks 41st among all states in broadband access. These positive steps should assist with improvement. Over 20% of Arkansas citizens remain without access to internet capability of 25Mbps speeds or faster. Adequate funding should give us a great start towards making a difference.
Currently, the ARC program has already awarded 21 projects totaling $27 million. More have been submitted and are under current review.
The Department of Commerce will accept applications until funds are exhausted or until the Cares Act Deadline of December 30, 2020 is reached. Providers and communities can apply for grant funding at https://www.arkansasedc.com/community-resources/arkansas-rural-connect-….
In other community news, I hope that everyone continued using safety precautions over this past holiday weekend, and that such practices will continue for the future.
As students have resumed classes on college campuses, leaders continue safety precautions to keep our young people and educators safe. For example, and with the help of the Fayetteville Mayor, the University of Arkansas Fayetteville has announced that on or off campus gatherings of 10 or more people will be considered a violation of the Code of Student Life. As of Friday September 4, 2020, there were 1,094 new cases and twelve (12) deaths in one day.
On a more positive note, there was a twenty-four (24) patient decrease in hospitalizations. As a reminder, please continue all safety practices. Wear masks and try to maintain six (6) feet of social distance when possible. Sanitize common surfaces; wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds; and stay home if you are sick.
Finally, I like to share informative items that constituents might find useful. If you have questions about any legislation or the legislative process, feel free to contact me at my House of Representatives email at don.glover@arkansashouse.org or by phone at 501-682-6211. Follow me on Facebook @GloverForAR.
