Arkansas CARES Act committee recommends extra $100 million to expand rural broadband

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An Arkansas committee formed to recommend the best use of federal coronavirus relief money on Wednesday endorsed spending an additional $100 million to expand rural internet access.

The funds, which the state received through the CARES Act, would support telemedicine, online schoolwork and online business. The recommendation goes to the Arkansas Legislative Council for final approval, officials said.

State Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock, was among several who spoke in support of the measure. She said broadband internet has become essential during the pandemic.

"It's not a luxury anymore," she said. "It's something we absolutely have to have."

The funds would add to $19.3 million approved in June to expand rural internet access. The state has taken other measures to expand internet access, as well. Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced last week that the state will spend $10 million of CARES Act funds to create 20,000 WiFi access points to expand student internet access.

Those funds will be used to provide Wi-Fi access points to about 20,000 devices, helping students who do not have home internet receive online instruction.

The committee also recommended a one-time reimbursement for pediatricians to support additional vaccination outreach. The Department of Human Services said the state has logged about 60,000 fewer child vaccinations this year because of the pandemic and the reimbursement program will help pediatricians reduce that number.

The reimbursement period is March, when the pandemic began, through Oct. 1, the deadline for school-aged children to be vaccinated. Reimbursement amounts will vary.

The state received $1.25 billion from the CARES Act.