Cooperatives Playing Major Role In Arkansas’ ARPA-Fueled Fiber Expansion
The Arkansas State Broadband Office continues to leverage American Rescue Plan Act funds to drive affordable fiber in the Natural State.
The Arkansas State Broadband Office – ARConnect – continues to leverage American Rescue Plan Act funds to drive affordable fiber access into underserved parts of the Natural State.
State Broadband
Three funding rounds are winding their way to completion, as fiber connectivity is being made available to rural markets for the first time, with a heavy reliance on local cooperatives.
ARConnect officials say they’ve now awarded more than $534 million in grants that will expand access to 130,000 locations in total, with most of the projects completed by 2030. Including matching funds, $1 billion is expected to be invested in total, bringing notable improvements to an estimated 875,000 Arkansas residents.
