§ 4-113-106 - Legislative findings -- Critical infrastructure -- Priority of county economic development plans that include regional broadband collaboration.
4-113-106. Legislative findings -- Critical infrastructure -- Priority of county economic development plans that include regional broadband collaboration.
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Broadband is:
(A) Critical infrastructure to the State of Arkansas; and
(B) Essential to:
(i) The fundamental activities of an advanced society including education, economic development, health, the pursuit of science and technology, and the conduct of government at all levels; and
(ii) Obtaining economic and educational equality among the different counties and regions of Arkansas;
(2) As a critical infrastructure:
(A) The first phase of the statewide broadband effort must be to make broadband accessible to every individual and organization in Arkansas; and
(B) The second phase of the statewide broadband effort must be to establish Arkansas as a leader in the leveraging of broadband in support of the activities essential to an advanced society; and
(3) The inclusion of broadband in state and county economic development plans should be encouraged.
(b) State activities in support of county economic development plans shall give priority to county economic development plans that include regional broadband collaborations to assist in situations in which counties cannot independently establish broadband.