Big Things Happening in Clarksville, Arkansas: Gigabit FTTH on the Way

Clarksville (AR) began their journey toward better local connectivity like many other communities we’ve interview and written about: by first focusing on fiber as a tool to enhance electric utility efficiencies. Four years after making the choice to deploy fiber, the town has chosen to use that fiber to offer Internet access to the community. Gigabit connectivity is on the way to every premise in Clarksville. This past legislative session, restrictions in AR eased somewhat when lawmakers made changes to allow local communities to apply for federal grants. In another positive development, the state legislature clarified state law so municipalities can bond to finance broadband infrastructure. SB 471 passed and was adopted into law in April. At the end of April, Clarksville issued revenue bonds for a 15 year term. The issue included $7.5 million for the fiber project and included additional funding for equipment they need for their smart grid project, and equipment for the water treatment plant.