Better Connections, Better Opportunity
PHOENIX, AZ
September 14, 2022
Under a new ACA grant program, high-speed broadband is being deployed in underserved communities across the state.
Governor Ducey launched the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program (ABDG) in November 2021, investing $100 million to 14 awardees in rural counties and six awardees in urban counties, spurring $112.8 million in local matching funds.
When completed, the grant projects will increase connections for homes, businesses, public safety agencies, medical facilities, schools, libraries and more while catalyzing new economic development and enhancing opportunities for sectors such as tourism, trade, and agriculture.
See what communities across the state are saying:
Wickenburg Sun: State, Cox bringing in broadband
“The Arizona Commerce Authority awarded Cox Communications $5 million to upgrade and expand its all-fiber and coaxial cable network in Wickenburg. Cox will invest an additional $3,411,000 for this Wickenburg project that will provide more than 5,200 residents and businesses with upgraded and/or new internet service.
“The Cox plan will call for the extension of network along US Highway 60 from Surprise through Wickenburg to include Rancho de los Caballeros, Las Casitas San Juan Central, and Vista Royale, utilizing the deployment of both fiber and coaxial cable.”
Herald-Review (Cochise County): Willcox to receive fiber-optic infrastructure investment
“Valley Telecom was awarded three grants for “fiber investment” in Santa Cruz County near Patagonia, the city of Safford and a rural area just west of Willcox. The investment will bring 43 miles of 100% fiber optic internet to 8.2 square miles just west of Interstate 10 along Willcox. The project will connect more than 500 households at a cost of $3,275,206, with Valley Telecom Group contributing $297,746 of the investment.”
White Mountain Independent: Apache County lands $10 million in grants to bolster Internet
“A $9.7 million grant that includes $600,000 in matching funds from two utility companies will bolster broadband speeds and reliability for Apache County communities that include Springerville, Eagar and St. Johns. Broadband carrier Commnet also committed $1.5 million, adding connections for 11,000 residents at 4,100 homes in the county.”
Arizona Mirror: Arizona broadband expansion projects are getting a $100 million infusion of cash
“The vast majority of the spending — $75.7 million for 14 projects — will go to 10 rural counties, while the remaining $23.6 million will fund six projects in two urban counties. The state grants will trigger more than $112 million in local matching funds, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority.”
KTAR News: ACA allocates $100M in broadband grants to 20 awardees in rural and urban Arizona
“The Arizona Commerce Authority announced broadband grants to 20 awardees in rural and urban Arizona to increase connections for underserved areas. In the Valley, Surprise, Gila Bend and Wickenburg received broadband grants, while three others were given to awardees in Pima County. Grants were also distributed across 10 rural counties, excluding Gila, Greenlee and Yavapai counties.”
Arizona Daily Star: Broadband internet upgrades coming to rural areas of Tucson
“The Arizona Commerce Authority awarded Cox Communications a $5 million grant, supporting fiber broadband upgrades to the Three Points area west of Tucson and Sycamore Springs in the Sahuarita-Corona de Tucson area. Those projects will be supported by an additional $5.1 million commitment from Cox Communications and $2.5 million from the Pima County Public Library, helping to provide reliable internet to about 1,400 area residents.”
KGUN Tucson: Cities in rural Pima County to receive high-speed fiber network
“Three Points, Robles Junction and Sycamore Springs are among Arizona cities receiving high-speed internet via fiber network. The ACA announced a $5 million grant Wednesday toward the network, part of a $12.7 million project that will be additionally funded by Pima County, contributing $2.5 million, and Cox Communications, contributing $5.1 million. Altogether, the new fiber network will bring multi-gigabit internet speeds to nearly 1,400 residents and businesses, largely in rural communities.”
Arizona Republic: High-speed internet comes to Douglas, other rural Arizona communities through grant
“Through the Arizona Broadband Grant Program, Cox Communications received $8.2 million to bring a fiber network to Douglas, which will serve 8,000 businesses and residents. Cox will invest an additional $2.3 million for the project and to lay 8.4 miles of fiber-optic cables to Cochise College’s Douglas Campus. Other southern Arizona towns and counties also received grants for projects including Willcox, Patagonia, Safford, Yuma County and San Luis.”
Arizona Education News: Grants bring broadband internet to families in Altar Valley School District and businesses & residents in Three Points, Robles Junction and Sycamore Springs thanks to Cox & Pima County partnership
“The Arizona Commerce Authority awarded $5 million to Cox Communications to bring multi-gigabit, symmetrical services to Three Points, Robles Junction and Sycamore Springs via an all-fiber network. The expansion across 100+ miles of Cox network will also provide internet services to the Altar Valley School District. In addition, Cox will also provide investments in the communities including: a Cox Innovation Center, which will host computers, printers and the latest technology for student learning, and distribute 100 devices and low-cost internet service for qualified residents.”
Arizona Public Media: High-speed internet is on its way to Douglas
“The City of Douglas and Cochise College’s Douglas Campus will be receiving an upgrade to their internet service. Cox Communications was awarded $8.2 million by the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Arizona Broadband Development Grant to expand broadband coverage for the city’s nearly 8,000 residents and the college’s campus.”
Media Contact
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.