Photo: (from left) Yelcot Operations Manager Shawn Lane, Izard County Judge Eric Smith and Yelcot President Sara Zimmerman
Several area companies have been awarded broadband grants from Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC), a program designed to expand the footprint of broadband in Arkansas.As previously reported by KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news, Yelcot Communications in Izard County has received $918,000 which will encompass 306 locations east and southeast of Melbourne.Other companies awarded include:
NATCO of Boone County for $2,923,361;
NATCO of Marion County for $1,100,000;
Yelcot of Stone County for $922,948;
Mountain View Telco of Stone County for $6,066,845; and
Windstream of Searcy County for $6,383,106.
According to ARC, broadband is an essential infrastructure allowing Arkansans to close the digital divide, compete in today’s digital economy, enhance healthcare outcomes through telemedicine and improve education.
The ARC program provides funding to assist in the deployment or improvement of broadband infrastructure into unserved or improvement to underserved communities. Award recipients will provide broadband tier packages at a minimum of 25Mbps Down/3 Mbps Up to its subscribers.
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