Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Makes Big Announcement

Governor Katie Hobbs recently announced almost $1 billion to support internet connectivity in Arizona...

Photo byKatie Hobbs via Wikimedia Commons

Governor Katie Hobbs recently made a big announcement regarding Arizona receiving $993.1 million to build infrastructure and deploy technology that will provide millions of people with high-speed internet access. In anticipation of these awards, Governor Katie Hobbs secured $23 million in this year's budget agreement for the creation of the Rural Broadband Accelerated Match fund.

“Access to reliable internet is critical to creating equal opportunities for all Arizonans,” said Governor Katie Hobbs in an official statement. “For too long, millions of Arizonans have lacked this access, preventing them from attaining good paying jobs, quality education, and even basic healthcare services. With this funding, my Administration will work with local, Tribal, and industry partners to connect every Arizonan, in every community, across the state and build an Arizona that works for everyone.”

"This money will provide opportunities for cities and towns to support broadband availability and adoption in their communities that will help close the digital divide and ensure rural, suburban, and urban communities have equal opportunity to access and afford high-speed internet,” said René Guillen, Deputy Director, League of Arizona Cities and Towns. “In conversations with mayors and city and town managers across the state, whether it’s for economic development, educational purposes, or just personal access, the need for high-speed internet access has been a common refrain."

“High-speed internet access is becoming a greater need throughout all tribal communities in the state of Arizona,” said Speaker Crystalyne Curley of the 25th Navajo Nation Council. “The funding will be very beneficial for first responders, students, businesses, and many others on the Navajo Nation. We look forward to working with Governor Hobbs and state agencies."

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