Dierks approved for broadband internet grant

It appears the city of Dierks is back on track to receive a state grant for broadband internet improvements. Mayor Ronnie Cogburn says he received word Wednesday that the state has approved Dierks for a grant of $597,665.43 cents for the project. Premiere Broadband received the grant on behalf of Dierks. Premiere is the same company that has received state funding to implement broadband upgrades for the city of Nashville, the Center Point area, and portions of Hempstead County.
A grant requested on behalf of Dierks was previously submitted, but rejected by the state, after Windstream objected, by claiming they already provide the broadband service to Dierks.
City officials disputed Windstream’s claims and conducted speed tests throughout the town to prove the 25 download and 3 upload speeds were not widespread.
The project at Dierks is expected to be up and running by the end of this year.