Hayley Ringle

Hundreds of rural K-12 school districts, charter schools and libraries across Arizona could receive new or expanded internet access thanks to a new initiative and federal funding. The Arizona Corporation Commission unanimously approved changes March 14 to the Arizona Universal Service Fund rules to provide money for this program to connect Arizona’s rural schools to the internet.

The ACC vote paves the way for a partnership between the Corporation Commission, the Governor’s Office, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the non-profit EducationSuperHighway. The group will draw down $100 million in federal e-rate funds to pay for infrastructure that will provide broadband to rural schools and libraries. The Arizona Universal Service Fund will provide $8 million in state match funding. An additional $5 million is needed, and that amount is included in the governor’s budget proposal.