Tucson, Arizona (KVOA) – Yesterday it was announced that Pima County will receive just over $30 million in grants to expand its high-speed internet infrastructure and increase internet access for residents in underserved areas. I was.

The grant will fund the construction of a 134-mile “open access fiber ring” that will help connect communities that currently lack adequate broadband access.

Nearly one-third of the Pima County population lives in the areas identified for this project.

“We live in a digital age, and if we want to grow and thrive as a community, everyone in our community needs to have access to the tools that give them the opportunity to succeed,” said county administrator Jean Lescher. .

Broadband rates in most of Pima County are below the subsidy requirement of 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upload, according to the NTIA.

According to the latest FCC data, nearly 10% of households in Pima County have neither broadband access nor internet.

“It’s financially difficult for private internet service providers to connect high-speed internet to rural and low-income areas,” said Lesser.

“This grant will provide that investment, and our community will be rewarded with increased employment, greater access to digital education resources, and the growth of small businesses. Better and more prosperous are the benefits of this $43 million investment of public funds.”

Examples of how individuals and the general public can benefit from increased high-speed Internet access:

Parents of children left behind as the digital divide widens.

Non-profit housing manager. A resident needs help getting online.

Workforce program managers whose clients need digital skills for employment.

family services or health care providers; The customer requires broadband to access the covered services.

Business managers who recognize the need for more digitally literate employees or job seekers.

Pima County received the grant as part of a federal $930 million high-speed internet expansion.