(a)

1. (1) The Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (“director”) issues this part to respond to urgent telecommunication needs in this state for communities impacted by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
2. (2) On or about February 21, 2020, the director issued the Arkansas Rural Connect Broadband Grant Program rule, 15 CAR pt. 189, to implement the Arkansas Rural Connect Broadband Grant Program (hereafter, “Arkansas Rural Connect”, “Arkansas Rural Connect Program”, or “ARC”).
3. (3) The Arkansas Rural Connect Broadband Grant Program rule was promulgated prior to the issuance of state and federal public health guidelines responding to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

(b)

1. (1) The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has severely impacted the citizens of this state.
2. (2) Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has brought about an urgent and immediate need for broadband internet access.

3. (3) Broadband enables:

   1. (A) Workers to telework;
   2. (B) Patients to use telemedicine services;
   3. (C) K-12 and college students and unemployed workers in need of reskilling to participate in distance education;
   4. (D) Religious people to participate in online worship services; and
   5. (E) All citizens to:

(i) Shop online;

1. (ii) Interact with friends through Skype and other video chat tools; and

   1. (iii) Keep up with the latest news and public health guidelines.

      1. (c)
2. (1) The federal government has instituted a major relief effort under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136.
3. (2) The state benefited from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act but still was in need.

4. (3)

   1. (A) The federal government then passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pub. L. No. 117-2.
   2. (B) These funds allowed states to broaden and strengthen their broadband infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas.
   3. (C) All American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 fiscal recovery funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024.

   4. (D) The period of performance will run until December 31, 2026.

      1. (d)
5. (1) The Arkansas Rural Connect program promotes broadband deployment in rural areas of Arkansas that lack meaningful and efficient broadband services.
6. (2) The ARC program and its purposes align with allowable uses of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds.