1. (a) Expedited review and approval of completed applications.

   1. (1) Applications must be completed to be entitled to expedited review.
   2. (2) Due to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic crisis, completed application submissions will receive an expedited review while the funding window is still open.
   3. (3) The funding window shall remain open upon the passing of this part so long as funds are available.

   4. (4) Special attention entitling organizations for expedited review will be given to:

      1. (A) Qualified projects that are able to deploy in six (6) months to a year to at least ninety percent (90%) of the locations targeted by the project (the ninety percent (90%) deployment rate is flexible, but preferred, and must be clearly stated in your application); or
      2. (B) Projects falling under the Arkansas Rural Connect Broadband Grant Program, 15 CAR pt. 189, cap of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per unserved location connection (the three thousand-dollar cap is flexible, but preferred).

   5. (5) These qualified projects must state, in a separate writing attached to the application, how they will assist with:

      1. (A) Telemedicine;
      2. (B) Distance learning;
      3. (C) Telework; or
      4. (D) All three (3).
   6. (6) Areas that are eligible for federal broadband grants will receive a low priority towards funding but will still be eligible to apply.

   7. (7)

      1. (A) Preference may be given to applications that expedite current expansion plans of providers.
      2. (B) The expansion plans:

2. (i) Must deploy to areas that lack broadband; and

   1. (ii) Can be deployed in six (6) months or a year.

   2. (8)

      1. (A) The ARC population threshold of five hundred (500) people still applies.
      2. (B) Failure to accurately state the number of unserved citizens in an area will not be a bar to applying or possibly receiving a grant award.
      3. (C) Rural unserved or underserved communities is a primary goal of this program.
      4. (D) Communities that do not meet the population threshold will still be able to partner with other communities to meet that eligibility criteria.

   3. (9) Focus will be given to:

      1. (A) Internet speed; and
      2. (B) Whether there is internet service in the areas meeting the population threshold.

   4. (10)

      1. (A) All approved applications must:

         1. (i) Meet eligibility criteria; and
         2. (ii) Follow all program requirements under the ARC rules.
      2. (B) However, grant awards under this part shall control over any conflicting ARC broadband rules.

3. (b) Deadlines under the Arkansas Rural Connect Broadband Grant Program, 15 CAR pt. 189.

   1. (1) Due to the urgency of deploying broadband to underserved areas during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some of the deadlines in the Arkansas Rural Connect program timeline may be moved forward to facilitate faster decision-making.
   2. (2) Due to the need for expediency, the scoring rubric described in the Arkansas Rural Connect Broadband Grant Program, 15 CAR pt. 189, may or may not be used in making award decisions.
   3. (3) The Arkansas Department of Commerce Broadband Office and technical review team will evaluate applications until funding ends.

Codification Notes: “ARC” means Arkansas Rural Connect Broadband Grant Program.