PHOENIX, Ariz. (July 12, 2022) — The Arizona Department of Commerce today announced the 20 recipients of the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program (ABDG).governor ducey launched The program will launch in November 2021 and will invest $100 million to expand high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved areas of Arizona.
The grants allocated a total of $75.7 million to 14 recipients in rural counties and $23.6 million to six recipients in urban counties, generating $112.8 million in local matching funds. The grants were awarded through a competitive process based on criteria such as return on investment and local support.
Once completed, this grant project will increase connectivity among households, businesses, public safety agencies, health facilities, schools, libraries, and more, while fostering new economic development and expanding opportunities in sectors such as tourism, trade, and agriculture. To do.
Examples of projects include installing high-speed fiber optic infrastructure, deploying Wi-Fi access points and networking equipment for broadband internet, and expanding existing and mid-mile fiber networks.
“This award represents a generational investment in connecting the state's rural and underserved areas and ensuring all Arizonans have access to high-speed internet,” said Governor Doug Ducey. It shows our commitment.” “Reliable internet access is more important than ever for public safety, education, telehealth and more. We are grateful to partner with communities across the state to ensure Arizona is connected. .”
“We are proud to announce the winners of the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program,” said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “These collaborative projects will improve the way Arizonans live, work, and learn, no matter where they live. Thank you for your efforts.”
Arizona Broadband Grant Program Winners:
rural award winners
- Apache County: Apache County Southern Regional Broadband Project
- Cochise County: City of Douglas and Cochise Community College
- Cochise County: Textile Investments in Rural West Wilcox
- Coconino County: Coconino County Project 4
- Graham County: City of Safford improves access to broadband internet
- La Paz County: La Paz County – Artis
- Mojave County: Wecom AZ-EXTEND
- Mohave County: Mohave County Middle Mile Project
- Navajo County: Navajo County-WANRack
- Navajo County: Heber-Overgaard
- Pinal County: Kearney, Arizona FTTH/FTTB Initial Deployment
- Santa Cruz County: Patagonia Regional Broadband Project
- Yuma County: Yuma County Broadband Project
- Yuma County: City of San Luis Last Mile Project
Urban Award Winner
- Maricopa County: Fiber to the Premise in Gila Bend, Arizona
- Maricopa County: Amazing City Centers and Heritage Districts
- Maricopa County/Yavapai County: Wickenburg
- Pima County: Expanding broadband access in Ajo, Arizona
- Pima County: Three Points and Sycamore Springs Public-Private Partnership
- Pima County: TOUA Pima County Site
The broadband grants build on notable actions in recent years to increase broadband access, including the release of the Arizona Statewide Middle Mile Strategic Plan in February. The plan would lead to the creation of the Statewide Middle Mile Network, adding 200 miles of broadband conduit in designated corridors along I-17 and I-19 by 2023.
Significant investments have also spurred broadband expansion efforts. In February, Governor Ducey announced: $68.1 million investment Expand broadband connectivity along Interstate 40 West from Flagstaff to the California state line.
In 2019, Arizona allocated $3 million in rural broadband development grants. The funding helped strengthen broadband infrastructure and increase download speeds in the communities of Bullhead City, Page and Payson, and also funded planning grants in other areas of the state.
media contact
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Department of Commerce; [email protected]
About the Arizona Department of Commerce
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's premier economic development agency with a rational mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to developing the overall economy. Attract, Expand, Create – Attract out-of-state businesses to establish operations in Arizona. Collaborate with existing companies to expand operations in Arizona and other regions. We help entrepreneurs launch new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, visit azcommerce.com and follow ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.
