Internet service providers across Arizona are currently seeking nearly $1 billion in grants through the Arizona Department of Commerce as they seek to expand their services across the state. Now, two more companies have been added to that list.
In a competitive grant process, support from Mohave County and local government officials can be critical to a company's ability to obtain grant funding. Eligibility for the state's $993 million Broadband Asset, Access, and Deployment Program will depend on many factors, including the support of local government officials. Earlier this month, Bullhead City-based Mojave Electric Cooperative, with approval from the Mohave County Board of Supervisors, independently pursued a portion of that funding in conjunction with TWN Communications. And on Tuesday, the board announced further support for two other local internet companies.
At Tuesday's County Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisors expressed support for Kingman-based Wecom and Nebraska-based Aro Communications in seeking their own share of the state's broadband infrastructure grants.
“Approximately $1 billion from state BEAD funds is being used to expand fiber and broadband service in unserved or underserved rural areas,” Supervisor Gene Bishop said. he said on Tuesday. “I will continue to support providers in securing BEAD grants.”
Continued efforts to expand county broadband infrastructure
The county's issuance of aid to these businesses follows multiple broadband infrastructure projects already underway across Mohave County. In 2019, the Arizona Department of Commerce awarded Mojave Electric Cooperative $1 million under a Rural Broadband Development Grant to expand broadband infrastructure in western Mojave County.
The state previously awarded WeComm $10 million in Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program funding and last year awarded Aro Communications $3 million to expand its own fiber infrastructure in the Lake Havasu City and Kingman areas. About two years ago, WeComm also received his $4 million from Mohave County under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to expand services in the Kingman area.
“Today, we had the opportunity to approve resolutions of support for both Wecom and Allo with the goal of providing high-speed internet access to every home and business in Mohave County,” Bishop said.
But not everyone in the Mohave County community was convinced this week. County resident Chris Rodarte, an outspoken critic of federal aid to Mohave County agencies, opposed the county's support for businesses seeking state aid.
“This is even more nonsense about (diversity, equity and inclusion),” Rodarte said this week. “This is consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and we strongly urge a ‘no’ vote.”
Rodarte is a past contributor to the Mojave County Taxpayer Newsletter, which has published conspiracy theories that refer to federal grant funding as a United Nations tool to implement socialist policies and ideals in American municipalities. has been trumpeted.
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this week to publicly support Wecom and Allo Communications in their bid to win state BEAD grants.
The Arizona Department of Commerce has high hopes for the county.
Jeff Sobotka, Arizona Broadband Director at the Arizona Department of Commerce, said in 2022 that Mohave County's efforts to expand broadband access in rural areas could help the county achieve the fastest fiber-optic speeds in the state. . And today, the Arizona Department of Commerce has high hopes for Mohave County.
“Mohave County is an important economic region in our state with significant growth potential,” Arizona Department of Commerce Public Affairs Director Alyssa Tufts said this week. “ACA is proud to work with our partners in Mohave County on many projects, including new expansions and workforce development collaborations.”
Tufts said ACA grants have already enabled Mohave County communities to improve broadband infrastructure and increase the speed of service delivery to people, businesses, schools and public safety.
“We are excited about the potential of the Digital Equity and BEAD initiatives. These two programs promise to further strengthen broadband infrastructure in underserved areas of the state. ”
Tufts said this year's BEAD grant represents the largest broadband investment in Arizona history, with the ultimate goal of providing universal broadband access to all residents.
“The ACA-based State Broadband Authority has been hosting webinars and other outreach forums with local communities about the (BEAD and State Digital Equity) programs. Over the next few months, team members will be traveling to 15 counties. We will conduct outreach tours and meet with key stakeholders in communities across the state. We are excited about the potential for these programs to continue to benefit Mohave County residents.”
