DREAM BIG
ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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We know that access to broadband is a public safety issue, a healthcare issue, an education issue, and an economic issue. While Arkansas currently leads the nation in access to high-speed broadband for our schools and has a nationally recognized computer science education program, rural areas in Arkansas still have limited access to FCC-defined high-speed broadband, meaning that rural students can’t access broadband at home and business often must locate elsewhere in order to compete.
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Currently, Arkansas has one of the most restrictive laws in the nation regarding municipalities’ participation in broadband deployment. Only five states, including Arkansas, prohibit municipalities from owning or partnering with private sector broadband providers, with few exceptions.
What are we doing about it?
We seek to repeal the municipal broadband prohibition and to allow cities and counties to partner with any broadband provider of their choosing to study and deploy broadband Internet access. This will fast-track our broadband infrastructure and increase high-speed Internet access for all Arkansans. Right now, Arkansas' law means federal dollars are left on the table. That is our tax money, and it should come home to Arkansas.
What are we doing about it?
We seek to repeal the municipal broadband prohibition and to allow cities and counties to partner with any broadband provider of their choosing to study and deploy broadband Internet access. This will fast-track our broadband infrastructure and increase high-speed Internet access for all Arkansans. Right now, Arkansas' law means federal dollars are left on the table. That is our tax money, and it should come home to Arkansas.