Arkansas Gets $10 Million for Digital Equity Under Biden’s Internet for All Initiative
arkansas to Receive Over $10 Million for High-Speed Internet Expansion
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas is set to receive a significant boost in its efforts to expand high-speed internet access, thanks to president Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative. The state will receive over $10 million in funding to implement key digital equity initiatives, according to an announcement from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Governance (NTIA) on December 19.
This funding is part of the first round of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program,which will make approximately $768 million available to states and U.S. territories. Arkansas joins Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, North Dakota, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in receiving this initial wave of funding.
“Quality, affordable high-speed Internet allows families and businesses to thrive in our modern economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is connecting everyone across the country to quality, affordable high-speed Internet and providing the resources they need to make the most of that Internet connection.”
Arkansas’s Digital Equity Plan outlines how the state will use the funds to bridge the digital divide and ensure all residents have access to the tools and skills needed to benefit from high-speed internet.
“For the first time, every state in the nation has a digital equity plan in place to promote widespread adoption of high-speed Internet services,” said assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson.”The Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative will ensure everyone can thrive online through access to devices and digital skills.”
Arkansas’s Digital Equity Initiatives:
The $10,161,429 in funding will support three key initiatives:
Establishing and supporting digital skills programs: These programs will provide training and education to help Arkansans develop the skills needed to effectively use the internet.
Facilitating a program that will provide reduced-cost devices to individuals who complete digital skills training: This initiative will make internet-enabled devices more accessible to those who need them.
* Establishing mini-grant programs for community Wi-Fi access: These grants will support the development of public Wi-Fi hotspots in underserved areas, expanding internet access to more Arkansans.The NTIA plans to announce awards for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant program from the first round of funding on a rolling basis.
Bridging the divide: Arkansas Awarded over $10 million for High-Speed Internet Expansion
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas residents are one step closer to accessing reliable high-speed internet, thanks to a meaningful federal grant announced on December 19th. The state will recieve over $10 million from President Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative, specifically dedicated to empowering digital equity.
This funding, part of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program spearheaded by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Management (NTIA), will address the digital divide head-on.
“Quality, affordable high-speed Internet allows families and businesses to thrive in our modern economy,” asserted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
Arkansas’s Digital Equity Plan, a strategic roadmap for utilizing these funds, focuses on three key initiatives:
digital Literacy Programs: Investing in programs that equip Arkansans with the skills necessary to confidently navigate the digital world.
Affordable Devices: Creating a program that provides reduced-cost internet-enabled devices to individuals who successfully complete digital skills training.
* Community Wi-Fi expansion: Establishing mini-grant programs to support the progress of public Wi-Fi hotspots in underserved areas, expanding internet access to more residents.
This initial wave of funding positions Arkansas alongside Arizona, Colorado, maryland, North Dakota, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as national leaders in bridging the digital divide.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson highlighted the program’s nationwide impact: “For the first time, every state in the nation has a digital equity plan in place to promote widespread adoption of high-speed internet services.”
The Biden-Harris Administration’s “internet for All” initiative,championed by the NTIA,underscores it’s commitment to ensuring every American can thrive in today’s digitally driven society.