WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded nearly $1 million Wednesday to improve college-level distance learning programs in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Department of Inormation Systems will receive $500,000 to upgrade equipment for its distance learning system that serves students across the state.
Arkansas State University at Newport will receive $460,398 to purchase video and control equipment that will connect its main campus with two technical centers and eight local schools serving Jackson County.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the Arkansas awards along with other grants awarded Wednesday to 52 distance learning and telemedicine projects in 29 states.
“Our rural communities need access to the latest educational and health care services to compete in the 21st Century,” Vilsack said.
In all, USDA awarded $14 million in grants to 19 distance learning projects, 32 telemedicine projects and one combined project in rural America.