A coalition of Arkansas electric cooperatives are months away from finishing the first phase of a $1.66 billion project to bring high-speed internet to more than 600,000 households in rural Arkansas, leaders of Diamond State Networks said last week.
Secretary Mike Preston says a director will be hired to help guide local officials and providers during the state's expansion of broadband internet service.
The Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday approved a salary of up to $200,000 for the director of the state's broadband office, a newly created position officials are conducting a nationwide search to fill.