Sinema, Kelly Announce Over $3Million Coming to Arizona to Strengthen Public Health Workforce

National Telecommunications and Information Administration is obligating BEAD Program funds for Arizona

WASHINGTON - Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is obligating nearly $1 billion from the Sinema-led and Kelly-shaped Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to deploy high-speed broadband.

Authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program will provide $988,112,231.37 for Arizona broadband. The BEAD Program provides investments to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs.

"Today's funds authorized by our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will make internet more accessible and affordable for Arizonans in all corners of our state. I'm ensuring our investments from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue delivering for Arizona," said Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is improving lives every day, and today's announcement will help give every Arizonan, regardless of where they live, access to reliable, high-speed internet," said Kelly. "Expanding broadband access is crucial for economic development, education, and healthcare, especially in rural and underserved communities. I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to secure these funds and will continue working to bridge the digital divide."

Sinema and Kelly's bipartisan infrastructure law makes historic and sweeping investments in repairing and upgrading America's critical infrastructure, including $65 billion to deploy high-speed broadband, expand broadband internet access, and help families afford broadband service.

Specifically, the law invests over $14 billion to make the internet more affordable and requires internet providers to offer a low-cost option to participate in federal broadband deployment funding. Following passage of the infrastructure law, the Federal Communications Commission established the Affordable Connectivity Program using the funding Sinema and Kelly secured to help Arizonans access affordable internet. The program provides eligible families $30 a month toward their internet bills and $75 a month toward internet service in tribal areas.

Sinema led bipartisan Senate negotiations with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that included Senator Kelly and senators from both parties.

The bipartisan infrastructure law was supported by groups including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, The AFL-CIO, The National Retail Federation, The Bipartisan Policy Center, North America's Building Trades Unions, the Outdoor Industry Association, The American Hotel and Lodging Association, The National Education Association, as well as hundreds of mayors across all 50 states.