Grant Will Support Statewide Health Care, Education, Public Safety and Research Network

Largest Grant in Arkansas History

Washington, DC — August 18, 2010 – Arent Fox LLP congratulates its client the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) on receiving an award of more than $102 million in federal stimulus funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The grant was announced today by Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, DC.

It is the largest federal grant in the history of the state of Arkansas, officials said Tuesday.

The funding was awarded to the University under NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and will be supplemented by a match of approximately $26 million, for a total project cost of about $129 million – making this one of the largest funded broadband stimulus projects announced to date.

The project will address critical broadband needs in health care, higher education, public safety, and research in unserved, underserved, and economically distressed areas in Arkansas.

The Arent Fox team, led by Jeffrey Rummel, a partner in the firm’s Telecommunications Practice, and Jon Bouker, a partner in the firm's Government Relations Practice, assisted long-time client UAMS at every stage of the application process with respect to regulatory compliance and public policy issues.

“We are so pleased to help UAMS and its partners make available to every citizen in the state of Arkansas an integrated and seamless network of new and upgraded life-saving and education-related broadband services,” said Mr. Rummel.

“This project is the finest example of the ‘Comprehensive Community Infrastructure’ concept envisioned by NTIA, and we are proud to be associated with these dedicated professionals who tirelessly serve one of the most vulnerable populations in the nation,” said Mr. Bouker.

In announcing the grant to UAMS and other projects, Vice President Joe Biden said, “Today’s investment in broadband technology will create jobs across the country and expand opportunities for millions of Americans and American companies. In addition to bringing 21st century infrastructure to underserved communities and rural areas, these investments will begin to harness the power of broadband to improve education, health care, and public safety.”

The $102 million grant to Arent Fox client UAMS was by far the largest of the 94 federal stimulus-funded grants announced today to improve broadband access in 37 states.

If you have any questions regarding this grant, please contact the Arent Fox attorney you work with or a member of Arent Fox’s Telecommunications or Government Relations practice groups.

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About Arent Fox:
Arent Fox LLP (www.arentfox.com), with offices in Washington, DC, New York City and Los Angeles, is a recognized leader in areas including OSHA, intellectual property, real estate, telecommunications, health care, automotive, sports, white collar, international trade, bankruptcy, and complex litigation. With more than 350 lawyers nationwide, Arent Fox has extensive experience in corporate securities, financial restructuring, government relations, labor and employment, finance, tax, corporate compliance, and the global business market. The firm represents Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, trade associations, foreign governments and other entities.