Arkansas approved by Commerce Department to distribute grants to expand broadband

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Arkansas has been approved by the U.S Department of Commerce to distribute the federal funding it was awarded to expand broadband access. In an interview with Arkansas PBS, Glen Howie, the state director for broadband, said he anticipates the grants will be disbursed to local entities.

“You look at the types of providers we anticipate applying in this program and winning grant awards you’re going to have a mix. We expect a very big from small providers to midsize to large to the electric cooperative subsidiaries that have been very active in broadband in Arkansas,” Howie said.

Last month, the Arkansas Electric Cooperative announced cooperative fiber providers have delivered broadband capability to more than one million Arkansans, according to Talk Business & Politics.

Arkansas approved by Commerce Department to distribute grants to expand broadband

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$60 million in federal funds available for Arkansas water projects

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

About $60 million will be spent on statewide water and infrastructure needs. The funds are part of the American Rescue Plan that was passed by Congress in 2021.

Gov. Sarah Sanders said $55 million will be used on water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects and $5 million for the Arkansas Rural Water Association to assist water and wastewater systems across the state. The legislature approved the funds in Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) late last month.

“My administration has worked with our federal partners to appropriately put money into Arkansas’ water infrastructure development, and this announcement adds to that commitment, Every Arkansan deserves safe and accessible drinking water, and with this funding, we will move closer to that goal,” she said.

$60 million in federal funds available for Arkansas water projects

Image from the City of Fort Smith

State's broadband director provides update on state's efforts to expand broadband

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

In a recent report ranking the broadband connectivity of the states, Arkansas ranked 49th. In an interview with Arkansas PBS, Glen Howie, the state’s broadband director, said the report does not reflect the progress the state has made.

“When you look at the remaining locations of 115,000 homes and businesses across the state that lack quality internet, you compare that to our geographic neighbors in the region and we’re ahead of them,” he said.

Howie said the state’s proactive approach to improving broadband access will help the state move forward. He said the state has already provided $550 million to communities to improve their internet. According to the Arkansas Department of Commerce, Arkansas is expected to receive about $1 billion in federal funding for broadband from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was passed by Congress in 2021.

State's broadband director provides update on state's efforts to expand broadband

Glen Howie Twitter Page

Glen Howie is responsible for helping the state expand broadband. He has been in the position of the state's broadband director since 2022.

ArDOT to receive $91 million in federal funding for highway projects

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) will receive an additional $91 million for six projects, according to a Wednesday (March 13) news release. The money comprises congressionally directed spending and community project funding.

According to the release, the money was secured by members of the state’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.; U.S. Reps. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro; Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs; and Steve Womack, R-Rogers. The money was included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriation for federal fiscal year 2024, which started Oct. 1.

Following are the amounts and projects the money will support:

• $67 million for Interstate 49 between Barling and Alma.

• $6 million for the future Interstate 57 from Walnut Ridge to the Missouri state line.

• $5 million for the Highway 10 Greenwood Bypass.

• $5 million for Highway 82 corridor improvements in Ashley, Chicot, Columbia and Union counties.

• $5 million for U.S. Highway 412 corridor improvements at Interstate 49.

• $3 million for Highway 412 corridor improvements in northern Arkansas.

ArDOT to receive $91 million in federal funding for highway projects

Sultana Disaster Museum receives $1 million federal grant; Southwest Trail gets $2 million

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

For years, an effort has been underway to build a museum to commemorate the sinking of the Sultana, a Civil War steamboat that sank April 27, 1865, in the choppy waters of the Mississippi River near the city of Marion. An estimated 1,200 passengers died making it the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history.

The Sultana Disaster Museum on Tuesday (July 19) received a $1 million grant from the American Rescue Plan. Garland and Saline counties each received $1 million grants from the ARP to develop trail systems.

For the museum to receive the grant, locals had to put up a $250,000 match. The project will create 90 jobs and generate $200,000 in private investments.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/sultana-disaster-museum-receives-1-million-federal-grant-southwest-trail-gets-2-million/

On April 27, 1865, the steamboat Sultana exploded on the Mississippi River about 7 miles from Memphis.

Rent Relief Program Using $173 Million in Federal Funds Launches in Arkansas

by Marine Glisovic (msglisovic@sbgtv.com)

Additional help is available for Arkansas renters who have lost jobs or are struggling financially due to the pandemic. The Arkansas Department of Human Services launched the Arkansas Rent Relief program Monday (May 17), which utilizes $173 million in federal funds.

“The need for rental assistance has been present since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “I appreciate the work that’s being done by the Arkansas Department of Human Services in conjunction with our federal partners to help renters and landlords who need assistance during this time.”

The program is aimed at covering past rent, future rent and certain utilities such as water, electricity and gas. Mary Franklin, DHS’s Director of Division of County Operations, said payment assistance can be used for up to 15 months of rent or utilities incurred between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/05/rent-relief-program-using-173-million-in-federal-funds-launches-in-arkansas/

Texarkana Airport Receives $4.9 Million in Federal Funds

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $4.96 million in federal funds to Texarkana Regional Airport-Webb Field.

The money will be used to reconstruct the airport’s terminal building. This funding is awarded through the FAA’s second round of FY21 Airport Improvement Program grants.

The purpose of the Airport Improvement Program is for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/texarkana-airport-receives-4-9-million-in-federal-funds/