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'A Very Tiny Drop In The Bucket, But A Fabulous Start' — Why Extending Broadband Access In Rural Areas Is Very Expensive

In his State of the State address last month, Gov. Doug Ducey announced $10 million for rural broadband development grants — that’s three times the previous year’s amount.

According to the 2018 Arizona Statewide Broadband Strategic Plan, nearly 900,000 Arizonans had limited to no access to high-speed internet. Those residents were mainly in rural parts of the state, or in tribal communities.

So how much of a difference would this new money make?

To find out, KJZZ's Mark Brodie spoke with Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association, which represents broadband providers across rural America.

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Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.