Firm to provide services to the Arkansas
State Broadband Office for managing and administering public
funding sources for ARConnect broadband program
PITTSBURGH, May 22, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader
in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced that
the firm was recently selected by the Arkansas Economic Development
Commission to provide broadband grant administration systems and
services. The firm will partner with the Arkansas State Broadband
Office (ASBO) to supply services for managing and administering
public funding sources – including the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access and
Deployment (BEAD), U.S. Treasury Community Project Funding (CPF)
and Digital Equity Act – for the ARConnect broadband program. This
funding will be utilized for the deployment of broadband
infrastructure to provide internet access to unserved and
underserved locations as well as for other digital equity
services.
"Michael Baker has been serving
state agencies and other clients across the State of Arkansas for more than 20 years. We
have completed projects in nearly every county in Arkansas and possess a robust understanding of
local communities and their landscapes across the state," said
Karen White, National Broadband
Practice Executive at Michael Baker International. "In recent
years, access to adequate broadband services has become vital for
education, health care and public safety, as well as business and
government services. Michael Baker's
services, combined with our partner Ready.net's Grantor Platform,
provides ASBO with a total solution. We are proud to partner with
the State of Arkansas in this
capacity as we support the expansion of broadband access through
grant management and administration efforts."
Michael Baker's services for the
State of Arkansas include:
- Supporting the BEAD State Challenge Process providing services
to review submissions and rebuttals providing recommendations
to ASBO
- Monitoring and compliance of CPF subgrants through project
closeout
- Assisting ASBO in the pre-qualification of internet
service providers (ISPs) for BEAD subawards
- Identifying stakeholders and coordinating support activities,
including technical assistance, to streamline requests for public
funding
- Developing subgrant agreements and supporting execution of
those agreements
- Providing economic modeling to highlight BEAD program benefits
for direct/indirect job creation and impacts to state or local
tax
- Serving as grant administrator to ensure program compliance and
timely drawdown of awarded funds
- Assisting with compliance reporting to Federal and State
Agencies
Michael Baker is currently
conducting broadband consulting and related services for numerous
state broadband offices across the nation, supporting clients in
their broadband expansion; utilization; grant program, including
BEAD and CPF; BEAD Challenges; and digital equity efforts,
including supporting state and local planning, local and regional
implementation models, broadband deployment and digital equity
skills/training.
About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker
International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting
services spanning five distinct Verticals: Infrastructure,
Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting
and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient
Solutions (SRS). The firm's Practices encompass all facets of
infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse
bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as
well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and
program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a
trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and
solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging
technologies and the latest innovations – like intelligent
transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a
service (SaaS).
The firm's 4,000 employees across more than 85 office locations
are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities
through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological
advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a
full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five
years.
To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.
Contact: Julia Covelli
julia.covelli@mbakerintl.com
(866) 293-4609
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SOURCE Michael Baker International