The Arkansas State Broadband Office has launched a Digital Skills and Opportunity Survey as part of the state’s efforts to map out remaining challenges to internet access.
The survey will be used to inform a five-year blueprint to bridge the digital divide in Arkansas that must be submitted to the federal government before the end of the year. That blueprint is required for Arkansas to begin receiving more than $1 billion in federal money allocated to the state from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, program.
As part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Arkansas received more than $840,000 to study the state’s digital divide, create a plan to address a digital skills gap and learn more about remaining barriers to internet access, the Arkansas Department of Commerce said in a news release Monday. An additional $5 million investment was made to fund the five-year blueprint.
The state Broadband Office is partnering with Heartland Forward, a Bentonville-based nonprofit, to coordinate with local leaders and communities to gather additional insights, the Commerce Department said. Various partners are working with the Broadband Office to conduct focus groups and other surveys that will inform the state’s final plan.
“Ensuring that all Arkansans have the digital skills essential for the 21st century digital economy is critical for our state’s future success,” Hugh McDonald, state commerce secretary, said in a statement. “Understanding – and eliminating – the digital skills gap is an important element in developing the state’s workforce and providing a brighter future for Arkansans.”
One month prior to the submission of the Digital Skills and Opportunity plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a version will be available for Arkansas residents to review and share feedback through a public comment process.
“Building out broadband access to every single home and business in the state of Arkansas is only one piece of the puzzle,” Glen Howie, state broadband director, said. “To positively impact lives for the better, we must see to it that all Arkansans are empowered with the digital skills anad resulting opportunities to take full advantage of universal broadband access.”
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