PATAGONIA, AZ (January 21, 2025) – Today, Valley TeleCom Group hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark progress underway for the Patagonia Regional Broadband Project in Patagonia, Arizona. The event highlighted the launch of a high-speed fiber-optic internet initiative for the Patagonia community, made possible through Valley TeleCom Group in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA).

Troy Judd, CEO of Valley TeleCom Group celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony alongside the Arizona Commerce Authority, Patagonia Mayor Andrea Wood, representatives from the Town of Patagonia, and local government and community leaders.

In June 2022, the ACA announced the Patagonia Regional Broadband Project as an awardee of the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program. The project’s funding includes $1,893,226 in grant funds from the ACA, matched by $1,795,694 from Valley TeleCom Group, for a total project impact of $3,388,920.

“Today's ribbon cutting represents an exciting new chapter for expanding high-speed broadband in Patagonia and Southern Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We’re proud to work with Valley TeleCom and the City of Patagonia to advance this important broadband project and foster new opportunities for residents and businesses alike in the region.”

“The ACA State Broadband Development Grant is welcome news for rural residents, business owners, students, and others who struggle to compete in the digital world,” said Troy Judd, CEO of Valley TeleCom Group. “This project helps to close the digital divide in Patagonia and aligns with Valley’s dedication to connecting people and places, one community, one household, and one customer at a time."

The project delivers the following benefits:

• Constructing 34.35 miles of new fiber-optic network while leveraging 12.5 miles of Valley’s existing backbone infrastructure.
• Connecting 516 homes and businesses across the entire town of Patagonia.
• Deploying a 100% fiber-optic network designed with carrier-grade advanced technologies capable of operating at multi-gigabit speeds.

The project’s focus on a fully fiber-optic infrastructure ensures that Patagonia will benefit from the latest advancements in broadband technology. With superior performance and scalability, the network will support the community’s digital needs for years to come.

Valley TeleCom Group announced that construction began in December 2024 and anticipates the first customers being connected in April 2025. This project continues Valley TeleCom Group’s legacy of investing in rural Arizona, ensuring residents and businesses have access to fast, reliable internet to thrive in today’s digital world.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting follows the launch of ConnectAllAZ in December 2024.  ConnectAllAZ.com provides Arizona residents information about all state broadband programs, community engagement opportunities, and resources like webinars and action plans. The website also features the new Arizona State Broadband Map, a tool that visually identifies unserved and underserved communities and shows internet access for every address across the state. This resource supports state, local, and federal efforts to address gaps and advance new connections.

Media Contacts

Heather Floyd, Valley TeleCom, [email protected]

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]

About Valley TeleCom Group
Valley TeleCom Group is a local telecommunications company that provides high-speed Internet, phone, and business solutions to southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico. With offices in Clifton, AZ; Safford, AZ; and Willcox, AZ, Valley has been delivering reliable services since 1962. Learn more at vtc.net.

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 X @azcommerce.