Aristotle BEAD Funding Approved to Deliver Fiber Broadband to Underserved Rural Communities in Arkansas
The Arkansas State Broadband Office released the state’s final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Aristotle Unified Communications Inc has been preliminarily selected to receive $69 million to deliver broadband services to 9,418 unserved rural locations.
BEAD is a structured, multi-year initiative that functions as a public-private partnership to bridge the digital divide:
- The government distributes grant funds over time, based on specific project milestones, to cover a significant portion of the cost to build out the physical fiber infrastructure.
- Aristotle is required to match the funding by contributing a minimum of 25% of the total project cost.
- BEAD program deployment must be completed by 2030.
“Arkansas ran an efficient, transparent, and fair BEAD process, and we are pleased to have participated and especially to have been given the opportunity to bring world-class fiber broadband to unserved communities,” said Aristotle CEO, Elizabeth Bowles. “Aristotle’s commitment to ensuring all communities have access to high-speed broadband internet dates back to the company’s founding in August of 1995. The BEAD projects will augment Aristotle’s existing network in the Arkansas Delta and enable us to expand our footprint into new areas that lack broadband. Aristotle deploys secure networks that are capable of scaling to meet future demand. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 30th anniversary than to bring cutting-edge broadband technology to rural Arkansas.”
Aristotle has received preliminary approval designated for 18 projects in 12 counties and expects construction to begin once the BEAD awards are finalized. Once complete, the network will deliver gigabit fiber broadband internet to residents, businesses, and community anchor institutions.
Projects will benefit the following counties:
The BEAD program is designed to enable universal broadband coverage, and Arkansas’ program will ensure that every home and business in the state will have access to reliable, high-speed internet.
For more information, including an online visualization dashboard of the BEAD awards, visit Arkansas BEAD Program page or email media@aristotle.net.
ABOUT ARISTOTLE
Aristotle Unified Communications Inc (AUC) is a High-speed broadband Internet, Voice-Over-IP Phone Systems, and Email Hosting Service Provider with headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas.
