Arizona Commerce Authority

Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) announced a critical milestone in Arizona’s plan to invest $967 million to expand broadband infrastructure across the state. Arizona received final approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, paving the way for the project’s implementation. Arizona's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program is the state's largest-ever broadband investment, furthering Governor Hobbs’ goal of ensuring reliable, high-speed internet connection for all Arizonans by 2030 through her ConnectAllAZ initiative.

As part of Arizona’s expansive efforts to expand high-speed broadband access statewide, the Arizona State Broadband Office recently launched the Arizona Permit Finder, a first-of-its-kind interactive permitting map. The first-in-the-nation Permit Finder seeks to reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate the pace of broadband expansion—supporting new economic opportunities for communities across the state.

The Arizona State Broadband Office received more than 200 competitive applications with full coverage for the entire state as part of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Benefit of the Bargain (BOTB) Round, which closed on July 22, 2025. The BOTB Round welcomed cooperatives, nonprofits, private companies, utilities and tribal entities. This effort aims to provide all Arizonans with the opportunity to access high-speed internet. Ultimately, 206 applications were submitted by 28 eligible entities including all technology types.

The Arizona Commerce Authority announced that Nick Capozzi will serve as Arizona’s new State Broadband Director. Capozzi replaces Sandip Bhowmick, who has served in the position since February 2022 and is departing for a role in the private sector. Nick comes to the ACA from the Governor’s Office, where he has served as Operations Advisor and State Infrastructure Coordinator. While at the Governor’s Office, Nick has been closely involved in statewide broadband planning and expansion efforts.

Arizona's goal of expanding broadband internet access in rural areas is taking a step forward with a public-private partnership.

The Arizona Commerce Authority announced 20 awardees of the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program (ABDG), investing $100 million to expand high-speed broadband to Arizona’s unserved or underserved areas. The Arizona Commerce Authority allocated $75.7 million to 14 awardees in rural counties and $23.6 million to six awardees in urban counties, spurring $112.8 million in local matching funds.

The Arizona Commerce Authority announced 20 awardees of the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program (ABDG). Gov Ducey (R-AZ) launched the program in November 2021, investing $100 million to expand high-speed broadband to Arizona’s unserved or underserved areas. The grant allocated a total of $75.7 million to 14 awardees in rural counties and $23.6 million to six awardees in urban counties, spurring $112.8 million in local matching funds. Grants were awarded through a competitive process based on criteria such as return on investment and local support.

The Arizona Commerce Authority, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), announced the Arizona Statewide Broadband Middle-Mile Strategic Plan, which supports current broadband expansion efforts on Interstate 17 and Interstate 19.