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$1 billion in federal funds to expand broadband access in rural Arizona

The federal government will be giving Arizona nearly $1 billion over the next five years for infrastructure and expanding high-speed internet access in rural areas.

Patrick Ptak with the Arizona Commerce Authority says the funds will help people and businesses in non-urban areas.

“It’s absolutely a game changer for Arizona. It’s historic in the amount of funding that is coming from the federal government through the state for broadband," he said. 

Ptak says the funding will help tribal communities get critical infrastructure needed for broadband internet access, which will help sectors including education, tourism and health care. 

Greg Hahne started as a news intern at KJZZ in 2020 and returned as a field correspondent in 2021. He learned his love for radio by joining Arizona State University's Blaze Radio, where he worked on the production team.