Joe PittsArizona Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly announced a nearly $1 billion federal investment in high-speed internet infrastructure as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure law that the two lawmakers supported and shaped last year.
The money will be distributed to Arizona through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which focuses on serving disadvantaged and rural communities that have historically lacked access to high-speed internet.
“From students doing homework online to seniors using telehealth services to receive medical treatment without leaving their homes, it’s essential that all Arizonans—no matter where they live—have access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet,” Kelly, a Democrat, said.
Both Sinema and Kelly said that this investment would not have been possible without the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Sinema, an Independent, co-authored the bill and led negotiations as chief negotiator, while Kelly played a role in shaping the act to include Arizona priorities.
The bill deployed $65 billion in taxpayer dollars across the nation to expand access to high-speed internet for underserved and rural communities, as well as to help make internet service more affordable for low-income families.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said the investment would help close the digital divide.
“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.”
The money will be managed over the next five years by the Arizona State Broadband Office within the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Joseph Kavetsky
Guest Contributor
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