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