Broadband Internet Expanding to Rural Arizona
Over the past two years, most of us have come to understand the importance and impact of having access to reliable internet services. For part of our state, that access is a privilege they have long dreamed of.
Recently, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) announced the start of a project that will connect more of the state’s rural communities to affordable access to broadband internet. The project is part of a partnership between ADOT and the Arizona Commerce Authority. ADOT will be laying fiber-optic conduit along a stretch of I-17 that runs from just south of Flagstaff to just north of Camp Verde. Once the conduit is laid, internet providers will be able to utilize it to offer broadband internet services to rural customers. The statewide effort to expand rural broadband access has received bipartisan support and the support of Governor Doug Ducey.
Rural residents have often dealt with limited, unreliable, and expensive broadband access that has been a burden on their personal and professional lives. Increased broadband access is critical to those who live and work in rural Arizona and allows for greater business retention and expansion, increased job opportunities, and subsequently, lower unemployment. With the rise of remote work opportunities, this connectivity is more important than ever in allowing rural residents to pursue quality employment.
Additionally, schools that lack reliable internet access have limited curriculum, and their students’ families often have limited access to learning materials. Students looking to pursue higher education or career training often miss out on valuable opportunities, further depressing rural economies by creating a stagnant workforce.
ADOT expects to have this project completed by summer 2022. The state’s efforts to expand rural broadband access will be ongoing. Visit localfirstaz.com/rural-development to learn more about our commitment to rural Arizona.