Arizona Rural Initiatives

From the beginning of the program, Digital Arizona elected to work through the four rural regional Councils of Government (COGs) and their associated counties to create effective business and technical plans for the expansion of broadband capacity in their territories.
Consultants have been engaged by four regional government coalitions to provide broadband gap assessment, strategic planning, technical assistance, grant identification, and other assistance funded with broadband grant monies and a twenty percent match provided by the regional organizations.
Regional broadband steering committees have been formed with broad participation among regional economic development, educational technology, transportation, government - IT, healthcare and public safety stakeholders.
In 2013 Round 1 activities were completed in all four rural regions of the state. Round 2 activities were completed in mid-2014. Round 2 reports focused on broadband deployment possibilities relative to transportation infrastructure and a number of potential projects have been identified. In the NACOG region the Verde Valley Broadband Coalition is developing an active project to place fiber conduit along a seven mile stretch SR260 during an ADOT road widening project. They have applied for and seem likely to receive a USDA grant to assist in funding this effort. Additionally, DAP will be providing planning funding to support the project. Another rural success was created in Nogales in which multiple schools were connected to each other with a fiber network and to high-speed internet capacity.
Digital Arizona Program Deliverables:
Broadband Grants and Resources Guide
The Digital Arizona Program (DAP) Broadband Grants and Resources Guide provides extensive information on community and non-profit organization’s grant processes focusing on the Who, What, Where When, Why, and How of grants.
It's accompanied by a reference section to relevant grant sources, as well as an appendix consisting of a multitude of state, national, and international broadband resources.
Regional Broadband Reports
The four rural regions located throughout Arizona, supported by their broadband consultants, produced two baseline reports each, links to which follow below:
The Broadband Business Case Analysis (BCA) Reports:
Focused on digital capacity needs and availability for the target region and selected communities, it documents the need for expanded rural broadband capacity, and presents community planning guidelines and recommendations.
The Broadband Technical Reports:
Focused on extensive gap analysis, including broadband services and infrastructure availability, for the target regions and selected communities. It also provides background on relevant broadband technologies and recommends community broadband strategies, policies, and initiatives.
Gila and Pinal Counties
CAG’s broadband consulting is provided by Systems Technology Staffing for community planning support and One Random Act (ORAct) for technical consulting.
CAG Broadband Business Case Analysis - April 2014
CAG Broadband Technical Report - April 2014
CAG Broadband Coverage Update - Spring 2014
CAG Broadband Technical Report - April 2014
CAG Broadband Coverage Update - Spring 2014
Apache, Coconino, Navajo and Yavapai Counties
NACOG’s broadband consulting is provided by Systems Technology Staffing for community planning support and One Random Act (ORAct) for technical consulting.
For more information on the expansion of digital broadband in rural Arizona go to: NACOG Northern Arizona Digital Broadband Update.
Southeastern Arizona
Cochise, Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz Counties
Southeastern Arizona’s broadband consulting is provided by Systems Technology Staffing for community planning support and One Random Act (ORAct) for technical consulting with assistance from International Research Center.
Southeast Arizona County Broadband Links
La Paz, Mohave and Yuma Counties
Other Regional Broadband Reports
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