168.05.20 Ark. Code R. 002
The Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission ("Director") issues this Rule to respond to urgent, telecommunication needs in this State for communities impacted to the COVID-19 pandemic. On or about February 21, 2020, the Director issued the Arkansas Rural Connect Broadband Rule (hereafter, the "Broadband Rule") to implement the Arkansas Rural Connect Program (hereafter, "Arkansas Rural Connect," or "Arkansas Rural Connect Program," or "ARC"). This Broadband Rule was promulgated prior to the issuance of State and Federal public health guidelines responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the citizens of this State. New public health guidelines encourage, and, in some cases require, citizens to practice "social distancing," staying at least six (6) feet away from other people as much as possible. In light of these restrictions, COVID-19 has brought about an urgent and immediate need for broadband internet access. Normal day to day activities can no longer be done safely. Broadband enables workers to telework, patients to use telemedicine services, K-12 and college students and unemployed workers in need of reskilling to participate in distance education, religious people to participate in online worship services, and all citizens to shop online, interact with friends through Skype and other video chat tools, and keep up with the latest news and public health guidelines.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the state's economy, the federal government has instituted a major relief effort under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act provides substantial allocations of funding to states Tpf;coronavirus1 response, broadly defined. Guidance provided by the US Treasury describes i "allowable uses of CARES Act funding. In general, CARES Act money cannot be used for regular budget support, and must be used for coronavirus response, but this includes both public "health related measures and economic relief to address the "second-order effects" of the crisis. All CARES Act finds must be spent before the end of December 30, 2020.
The Arkansas Rural Connect program promotes broadband deployment in rural areas of Arkansas that lacks meaningful and efficient broadband services. The ARC program and its purposes align with allowable uses of CARES Act funds. However, Arkansas Rural Connect is designed as a medium- to longer-term investment program, requiring deployment only by late in 2022, which lies well outside the CARES Act spending window.
An Emergency ARC Coronavirus Rule is currently in force. However, due to the ever increasing need for broadband for distance learning, telemedicine and the need for social distancing, necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to issue this Supplemental ARC Coronavirus Rule to add other entities that are capable of deploying broadband quickly within the State of Arkansas, to offer match fund incentives for entities who have received federal awards for broadband deployment in Arkansas and allow the Arkansas Economic Development Commission's Broadband Office to purchase broadband deployment equipment or devices that aid or assist with receiving broadband at an Arkansas resident.
This Rule is authorized to be issued by the Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission ("AEDC") under Ark. Code Ann. § 15-4-209(b) (5) which provides that AEDC may promulgate rules necessary to implement the programs and services offered by AEDC. On or about August 9, 2019, Governor Asa Hutchinson authorized a transfer of funding for the implementation and administration of the ARC Program to AEDC. Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 15-4-209(a)(l), AEDC is authorized to administer grants to assist with the economic development in the State. The ARC Program is therefore authorized to administer the ARC grant and authorized to issue administrative rules under Ark. Code Ann. § 15-4-209(b) (5) as a service offered by AEDC.
Electric Cooperatives or their subsidiaries and any other entity that has a one-year track record of providing voice, internet, broadband and/or electric distribution or transmission services to at least 500 retail customers are now eligible to apply for ARC grants. This includes municipalities that own their own utility service. Electric Cooperatives and other qualified entities must follow all ARC rules the same as the internet service providers (ISP) and will receive the same treatment as ISPs under the ARC rules. Financial records, deployment experience and/or retail customer lists are not an absolute bar to funding projects. Moreover, organizations or entities that do not meet this criteria for eligibility may submit an application and the project will be reviewed on a case by case basis. These organizations may be required to submit financial records, customer lists and any other documentation deemed necessary for the Broadband Office to determine the stability of the company and the ability for the company to deploy within the time prescribed by the Broadband Office. ARC funding caps may be waived.
Special attention entitling organizations for expedited review will be given to:
These rules are in defense or preparation for not only COVID-19 but any other pandemic or disaster that may befall Arkansans now or the foreseeable future. Telemedicine/health, telework and distance learning statewide is one of the goals of this program. As such, the Broadband Office and technical review team will evaluate applications until funding ends.
This Rule is effective after review and approval by the Arkansas Legislative Council, ten (10) days after filing of the approved Rule with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
168.05.20 Ark. Code R. 002