Sen. Kelly Shaped Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Creates High-Paying Jobs, Helps Close Arizona’s Digital Divide
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly understands that access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet is a necessity for students, small business owners, and families across Arizona in order to succeed in today’s digital economy. It’s why in the Senate, Kelly joined the group of 11 Republicans and 11 Democrats to negotiate and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which delivers historic investments to expand access to high-speed internet for Arizonans.
As a result of Kelly’s work, Arizonans will also see more high-paying jobs and more opportunities for affordable, reliable access to high-speed internet. See how the Kelly-shaped Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering for Arizonans.
Historic Investments to Expand High-Speed Internet:
The Kelly-shaped law provides $65 billion to expand access to high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities across the country through broadband infrastructure deployment and programs that ensure cost is not a barrier. The Kelly-shaped law includes additional, dedicated funding for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), which directs federal dollars to tribal governments for broadband deployment.
Creates High-Paying Jobs and Helps Close the Digital Divide:
During the summer, Kelly joined Corning Inc. and AT&T in Mesa to announce the planned construction of a $100 million fiber optic cable manufacturing facility in Gilbert that will create high-paying jobs and help deploy high-speed internet to tens of thousands of Arizona homes, a credit to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The facility is expected to open in 2024.
Expands Internet Access in Arizona’s Tribal Communities:
In August, Kelly visited the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona to announce over $105.8 million in grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for five Arizona tribes: Navajo Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Hopi Tribe, and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The funding, provided through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), supports the development of broadband deployment plans such as for telehealth, distance learning, and internet service affordability.
More Opportunities for Affordable, Reliable Internet Access:
The Kelly-shaped law specifically invests over $14 billion for the establishment of a permanent Affordable Connectivity Benefit program which makes internet service more affordable and requires internet providers to offer a low-cost option to participate in federal broadband deployment funding. As a result, the Kelly-supported program ensures that eligible households can get a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30 per month.
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