In a push to bring high-speed internet connectivity to some corners of Arizona still buffering, Governor Katie Hobbs rolled out the ConnectAllAZ initiative, a comprehensive plan aiming to blanket the state with accessible, reliable broadband. According to an announcement made on the Governor's official website, ConnectAllAZ responds to the urgent need for digital inclusivity, pooling together $993 million from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, to empower every Arizonan with the means to plug into the global conversation.
The initiative spreads its wings across various connected efforts. The centerpiece, ConnectAllAZ.com, dishes out details on statewide broadband undertakings, resources like webinars, action plans, and a novel Arizona State Broadband Map, which serves the dual purpose of spotlighting regions left in the digital dark and steering federal funds into these internet deserts. "In today's high-speed world, access to the internet is a necessity to get an education, start and grow a business, access health care and find a job," Governor Katie Hobbs said, underscoring the imperative of online accessibility for personal and community growth.
ConnectAllAZ cherishes a particular focus on remote and Tribal communities, those often forgotten by the broadband boom. Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, praised the Governor's leadership for elevating economic opportunities through this digital leap, particularly for those on the fringes of the state's high-speed network. The initiative isn't pulling punches in funding, dedicating a hefty $100 million to the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program, intended to inject life into broadband infrastructure projects that aim to stitch together Arizona's urban and rural fabric.
The vanguard of this communication crusade, the Arizona Statewide Broadband Middle-Mile Program, dreams up a network spine along key interstate corridors, deploying fiber optic troops in partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation, Governor Hobbs has already laid the foundation of a dark fiber network in Navajo County earlier, lighting the flame that ConnectAllAZ now carries forward. For those seeking more information on how Arizona is riding the high-speed highway, a visit to the initiative's website at the Governor's official announcement page offers a gateway to all things ConnectAllAZ.
