Governor Jan Brewer Announces Stimulus Broadband Infrastructure Award to Benefit Navajo Nation

Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) is awarded $32.2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications & Information Administration

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer announced today that the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) has been awarded an approximately $32.2 million federal grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). This grant along with partial matching funds, will provide middle mile and last mile broadband infrastructure access to the Navajo Nation. Middle mile is the equipment and infrastructure that carriers the internet over longer distances, while last mile broadband carries internet to its final destination over shorter distances, directly to the home or business.

“This grant to the Navajo Nation’s Utility Authority will revolutionize broadband communications on the Navajo Nation,” said Governor Brewer. “This grant will deliver broadband internet, which will foster jobs, business development and new educational opportunities. This is a step forward in bringing the tools of economic prosperity to every corner of our state.”

This broadband project will benefit over 30,000 households and 1,000 businesses. Governor Brewer was an early endorser of the Navajo Nation’s Utility Authority’s grant application. The NTIA solicited the formal advice of the Governors of the fifty states as part of the overall broadband grant decision making process. Governor Brewer in her letter to the NTIA recommended the Navajo Nation Utility Authority’s grant.

“The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority grant received the highest recommendation in its category by the Arizona Broadband Advisory Committee (ABAC),” said Arizona State CIO Chad Kirkpatrick. “The Navajo Nation was identified as one of the areas in Arizona with the greatest need for broadband support. The plan was well thought out and well presented,” Kirkpatrick said. The ABAC Committee was assembled by Governor Brewer to provide insight and advice on over 100 broadband grant applications that could impact Arizona. For additional information see: http://www.broadbandusa.gov.

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