State Broadband Officials to Host Meeting in Nashville on Regional Internet Improvements

State broadband officials will host a public meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, in Nashville to discuss the status of broadband expansion projects in Howard, Sevier, and Little River counties.

The meeting will include Arkansas State Broadband Director Glen Howie, who will provide updates on the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program — a $1 billion statewide initiative aimed at improving high-speed internet access across Arkansas.

During the meeting, community leaders and residents will hear from internet service providers that have been provisionally selected to help deliver new broadband infrastructure in the three-county region. The Arkansas State Broadband Office, also known as ARConnect, says it will share the latest progress on BEAD projects and collect public feedback on how to ensure strong completion of the program.

The meeting location has not yet been determined, but officials say details will be announced soon. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Those planning to participate are asked to RSVP by contacting Noah Haynes, IT Infrastructure Analyst with the Arkansas State Broadband Office, by email at noah.haynes@arkansas.gov or by phone at (501) 682-7355.