Connect Arkansas has received two grant awards. The first award – for $3,702,738 — will help Connect Arkansas expand broadband use in the state through education. Connect Arkansas will use these funds to offer basic computer training and refurbished computers to qualifying families, and will feature training in business tools, including writing basic business plans, the principles of entrepreneurship, and other key skills. In addition, Connect Arkansas will collaborate with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to oversee a comprehensive broadband-based health awareness campaign and provide hands-on training to medical facilities and health care providers. This project proposes to train approximately 2,600 residents over the life of the project, offering approximately 53,000 hours of teacher-led training to help increase broadband adoption.

The second award – for $4,094,128 – will help Connect Arkansas to continue the development of a broad-based plan to address state broadband challenges, craft tools to enable county governments to create Web sites that will allow citizens to obtain important government services online, collect data, and develop a statewide address file that focuses on unserved and underserved communities. Lincoln, Pryor, Berry, Snyder and Ross announced another grant for $2,081,238 to begin this effort last October.

“The availability of high-speed Internet is critical to Arkansas’s economic development and prosperity,” Lincoln said. “In order to successfully compete in this economy, Arkansas’s small and rural businesses must have access to high-speed Internet and Arkansans entering the workforce must have the skills to effectively use the Internet. I am pleased to announce this Recovery Act investment that will strengthen our state’s workforce and economy.”

“Access to broadband is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. Broadband helps children receive a top-quality education, allows health care providers to operate more efficiently and effectively, and enables businesses to expand their customer base nationally and even globally,” Pryor said. “As a member of the Senate Commerce and Appropriations Committees, I am proud to have helped secure these funds for Connect Arkansas, who will now be able to provide Arkansas families, businesses, and health care providers with the equipment and training necessary to get online and fully utilize broadband’s capabilities. I will continue to champion this cause until every Arkansan has access to broadband in their communities.”

“Connecting more Arkansans through broadband and creating a better understanding of its applications will mean improvements in everything from small business development to better efficiency in our health care system,” Berry said. “This is about giving Arkansans the opportunity to participate in these fascinating advancements in technology that will help create jobs, boost economic growth, and that will continue to play a major role in the future of Arkansas.”

“This rural broadband funding is a major boost to our Arkansas’s economic development efforts and an important project for our residents and businesses,” Snyder said.

“For every dollar we invest in broadband, the economy sees a ten-fold return on that investment,” Ross said. “Making broadband services available to all Arkansans will help provide greater accessibility to information and education programs, especially to those in rural areas. Ultimately, increased access to broadband services will help our communities grow and remain competitive in this 21st century, global economy.”

“For rural areas, broadband is a connection to the rest of the world, removing all barriers and allowing our communities to participate in the global economy,” said C. Sam Walls, President of Connect Arkansas in Little Rock. “The Internet is relevant to all areas of our lives – education, health care, small and large businesses and government. The Internet has transformed the way we get information and interact, and that is why we are excited about continuing the work of Connect Arkansas.”

Drew County Developmental Disabilities Services, a non-profit organization that provides services for people of all ages with developmental disabilities, will begin construction on a new preschool building and playground soon. The new facility will serve children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years. These new facilities will allow the center to meet additional demand for its services.

“I am pleased to announce this investment that will ensure more children with developmental disabilities in the Monticello area get the specialized care and instruction that will help give them a brighter future,” Lincoln said. “I am committed to securing investments that provide services and expand opportunities for Arkansans with developmental disabilities and I commend the Drew County center for their important work.”

“Drew County Developmental Disabilities Services plays an important role in the community, helping individuals with disabilities live independent and active lives. These funds will help the center expand its services for children with disabilities and give them the opportunity to learn and grow,” Pryor said.

“Without the necessary treatment or therapy, developmental disabilities can seriously hinder the quality of life for those affected,” Ross said. “I’m pleased to help announce this funding for the Drew County Development Disabilities Service. This investment will help provide Monticello with essential services and resources to enhance programs and learning facilities for those affected by developmental disabilities.”

“This funding will allow us to provide necessary equipment and services for students we would not be able to provide without the funding,” said Norman Hill, President of Drew County Developmental Disabilities Services, Inc., Board of Directors.

USDA Rural Development grants support public facilities and services, promote economic development, and offer technical assistance to help address the diverse and unique needs of rural communities.

“This funding will help the Drew Memorial Hospital continue to provide quality care to the community and surrounding areas. I am pleased that, through my role as Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, I was able to help secure these funds,” Lincoln said.

“Approval of this loan will allow us to kick off the first phase of the modernization of Drew Memorial Hospital. This project will help us to better provide the highest quality health care services to everyone in Drew County and the surrounding areas,” Drew County Hospital CEO Michael Layfield said.

These projects will provide for fully accessible and modern rooms for area residents. They will also expand health services and education and training opportunities for the public and health care professionals.

Layfield  added, “We are pleased and excited to announce our hospital’s USDA loan application for $12 million for phase I of our modernization program , has been approved. This will allow us to begin phase I of our modernization program within the next several months. The total cost of phase I will be approximately $21 Million. Phase I includes 41 inpatient replacement beds, Allied Health building and Surgery/OB.”

“I would like to first say thanks to Senator Lincoln for her help and assistance in helping DMH to begin the modernization program. This sets us on our way to becoming the leading health care facility in southeast Arkansas. Also to have the most modern facility in the area when all phases of the modernization is complete.”

“Also, thanks to our Hospital Board and all of our team of physicians and employees, as we are financing this first phase with our own hospital revenues.”

“Beginning this modernization program has been our vision for the future and it’s now a dream come true. Lets continue to dare to dream big dreams as at DMH we will accept nothing less for but the best of health care services , equipment and facilities for the people of Southeast Arkansas that we serve.”

“Drew Memorial Hospital has become more than just a small town hospital. Through the efforts of our medical staff and employees we are growing and becoming known as, a regional leader in safe quality care and superior customer service throughout Southeast Arkansas.”

“A sincere thanks to the Drew team of physicians, employees and volunteers for all you do for our patients day in and day out to give our patient s the very best health care in the region!”

U.S. Representative Mike Ross, along with U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, Thursday announced that the City of Monticello will receive $248,027 from the Department of Transportation to help enhance airport safety and security by installing perimeter fencing at Ellis Field at Monticello Municipal Airport.

“Investing in our infrastructure not only helps create jobs, but also provides a boost to the local economy,” said Ross. “I am proud to help announce these funds for Monticello because enhancing our local airports is a great example of how federal investments should be made – creating jobs and making our communities stronger.”

“I’m pleased to see Monticello Municipal Airport receive these federal dollars to make necessary safety improvements,” said Lincoln. “I remain committed to ensuring that our state receives much-needed funding that also serves to enhance local economic development.”
“Safe and reliable transportation infrastructure is a critical component to economic development in Arkansas,” said Pryor. “Investing these federal dollars in the Monticello Municipal Airport will benefit local businesses and residents alike.”