On behalf of Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery, the Independence County Broadband Committee (ICBC) is inviting internet service providers (ISPs) to engage in discussions regarding the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
BEAD provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 states.
According to a release from the committee, the ICBC will hold a series of one-on-one meetings with ISPs to discuss the expansion of broadband in the county, followed by a collective meeting with all participating ISPs.
The meetings will be held Dec. 13 and each Wednesday in January at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce board room at 409 Vine St. in Batesville. There will be two time slots, 4 p.m. and 4:40 p.m., for convenience.
Interested providers can contact Hal Vandiver with the ICBC at hvandiver@gmail.com for more information.
The committee said in the release that it hopes for a positive response from ISPs and looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate for broadband development in Independence County.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
