The Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday signed off on grants to pay for studies of broadband needs in three cities, two counties, a property owners association and a Sheridan program.
The studies would be for the cities of Sherwood, Tull and Ward; Little River and Perry counties; the Eagle Ridge Property Owners Association in Pulaski County; and Kick Start Sheridan.
The Rural Broadband ID grants are available to help cities, incorporated towns, unincorporated communities and counties conduct due-diligence business studies that are required in federal grant and loan applications for funds to pay for broadband infrastructure, said Joseph Sanford, interim director of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Institute of Digital Health and Innovation. The institute administers the grant program.
In August, UAMS announced that 30 grants of up to $75,000 each are available through this program, financed with federal coronavirus relief funds.
