The steering committee established by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend best uses of federal COVID-19 aid has recommended allocating $100 million of the state's $1.25 billion towards rural broadband infrastructure through the Arkansas Rural Connect program. The need for such technology has become essential for education, healthcare and the economy as these operations have been transformed amid the pandemic to reduce the risk of transmission of the novel virus. The recommendations appear to have broad support from the legislature.
More below:
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/aug/06/panel-favors-100m-more-for-broadband/?news-arkansas
https://broadband.arkansas.gov/ar-rural-connect/
https://armoneyandpolitics.com/lonoke-receives-2-million-arc-grant-for-broadband/