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Gov. Doug Ducey stopped by the ceremony after announcing the dedication of $68 million to develop 195 miles of high-speed internet broadband along Interstate 40.
"The new connectivity will: give more homes access to reliable, safe and fast Internet; help improve public safety by getting more state troopers and first responders connected to the internet; increase access to education; improve the safety and efficiency of commerce and transportation; and help more Arizonans get the care they need through telemedicine," Ducey said.
The expansion will improve internet connections throughout Coconino, Yavapai and Mohave counties.
Ducey touted Flagstaff's growth in both construction and tourism during his speech, referencing recent state funding given to Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival, Creative Flagstaff, Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Lowell Observatory and other local organizations.
"It’s hard to remember a time when our economy relied on tourism and construction," Ducey said. "These are still critical components of our state and they will continue to be. But you all have created new avenues for Arizonans to find work, make a living and join the industries of the future."
He pointed to Flagstaff's post-pandemic recovery, noting that the city has recovered more than 90% of jobs lost since March 2020 and Coconino County's unemployment rate, which is below the state average. The county had the largest decrease in unemployment rates statewide in 2021.
He pivoted from topic to topic, touching on school choice, simplified tax code, infrastructure investments and Arizona's continued drought.
"One area where our work clearly isn’t done is on water," Ducey said. "We passed a monumental policy that we were told would never happen — the Drought Contingency Plan. Then last year ... we put our money where our mouth is — $200 million to invest in the water technology of the future."
He also addressed the upcoming wildfire season, which is poised to be especially devastating given the current drought conditions plaguing much of the region and state. Flagstaff residents will see additional resources in the proposed budget for this, Ducey said, and his office is continuing to proactively work with other administrators nationwide.
"Wildfire protection and management is always top of mind in Arizona -- especially with the drought we're having," he said.
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