About Our Project:

Arkansas, with the third-lowest per-capital income in the nation, also ranks 49th in online connectivity—29 percent of its population has never used the Internet according to the 2008 Arkansas New Economy Index and a related Connect Arkansas survey. Aware that relevancy of the Internet and digital literacy are frequent barriers to broadband adoption, Connect Arkansas is proposing a project centered around the basics of digital literacy, online entrepreneurship, and access to tele-health services. First, the project will offer basic computer training and refurbished computers to qualifying families. Second, the project will feature training in the tools of business, including writing basic business plans, the principles of entrepreneurship, and other key skills and plans to showcase student businesses through the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation. Third, Connect Arkansas also intends to collaborate with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to oversee a comprehensive broadband-based health awareness campaign and provide hands-on training to medical facilities and healthcare providers.

This project is funded through a two-year grant of$3,702,738 from the U.S Department of Commerce’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.

Our Mission:

The Expanding Broadband Use in Arkansas project also proposes to:

• Train approximately 2,600 residents over the life of the project, offering approximately 53,000 hours of teacher-led training to help increase broadband adoption.
• Support e-Communities in 57 high-poverty counties to collect data, conduct county-by-county assessments of technology and broadband uptake, and tailor the best strategies for improving broadband adoption statewide.
• Complement Connect Arkansas’ State Broadband Data and Development Grant for broadband mapping, not only creating a more accurate picture of the broadband geography in Arkansas but also helping the state formulate a more effective strategy for reaching underserved areas. 

 Project Partners:

• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• Little Rock School District – Computers for Kids
• University of Arkansas at Monticello
• Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation
• Arkansas Capital Corporation 

Contact: 

Grace Morrissey

Connect Arkansas, Inc.

200 S Commerce STE 400

Little Rock, AR 722011766

gmorrissey@connect-arkansas.org