Wecom Fiber breaks ground on high-speed broadband in Flagstaff

Recognizing the critical need for internet access, dozens of community and business leaders gathered today in Flagstaff to mark the start of construction on a transformative broadband infrastructure project.

“Conquering the digital divide is a priority for the Flagstaff City Council and this project is a game-changer for our community,” Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett said. “With this Wecom partnership and the delivery of quality fiber broadband to dozens of high-traffic, public facilities, we are pleased to take a giant step toward our objective to bring the Internet within reach of every Flagstaff resident.”

The initiative, led by Kingman-based Wecom Fiber, aims to bring high-speed fiber broadband to public facilities and businesses throughout nearly all of Flagstaff. A regional leader in fiber-to-the-premises and fixed-wireless technologies, Wecom was unanimously selected by the Flagstaff City Council last year to deliver multi-gigabit service to 34 city-owned facilities. These include City Hall, public libraries, fire stations, the Flagstaff Recreation Center, and the Flagstaff Aquaplex, which hosted today’s groundbreaking ceremony.

The public-private partnership represents a $5 million investment, with Wecom contributing $3 million and the City of Flagstaff allocating a $2 million grant to support the effort.

“Wecom is thrilled to begin work on this project to deliver Flagstaff residents the fastest and most reliable fiber broadband Internet on the market,” said Wecom CEO Paul Fleming. “We thank Mayor Daggett and the Flagstaff City Council for partnering with us on this effort to eliminate the digital divide by bringing lightning-fast, affordable fiber broadband to Flagstaff residents, businesses and City facilities.

In a separate but complementary undertaking, Wecom is constructing a 1.1 million-foot fiber broadband network across the city. Fully funded by private investment—approximately $40 million—the network will bring next-generation internet access to nearly every home and business in Flagstaff.

The first customers are expected to be connected as early as this summer, with full citywide deployment projected within three years.

“Fast, reliable fiber Internet access is an economic imperative and necessity for Flagstaff entrepreneurs, job-seekers and business owners,” Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Julie Pastrick said. “The Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce applauds Mayor Daggett, City Council and Wecom for this innovative collaboration. It’s been a long time coming, and the first customers to come online this summer should be very excited!”

Beyond Flagstaff, Wecom continues to expand its broadband footprint through partnerships in Coconino, Yavapai, Mohave, Pinal, and La Paz counties—advancing digital connectivity throughout northern and central Arizona.