PHOENIX, AZ (November 17, 2025) – As part of Arizona’s expansive efforts to expand high-speed broadband access statewide, the Arizona State Broadband Office recently launched the Arizona Permit Finder, a first-of-its kind interactive permitting map. The first-in-the-nation Permit Finder seeks to reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate the pace of broadband expansion – supporting new economic opportunities for communities across the state.

The Permit Finder consolidates permitting requirements into a centralized source, ensuring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and subgrant recipients have access to important agency and contact information. The tool identifies for Internet Service Providers and other stakeholders the necessary permits and points-of-contact to advance broadband infrastructure.

“Affordable, reliable broadband is key to unlocking the Arizona Promise,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. "Arizona is leading the way in developing and launching innovative tools that advance our broadband expansion efforts. The Arizona Permit Finder is a valuable resource that will support broadband deployment and ultimately help connect more families and workers to high-speed, reliable internet.”

“The Arizona Permit Finder is a powerful new tool supporting our mission to expand broadband access across the state,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “By streamlining infrastructure permitting, this innovative resource accelerates deployment in underserved and rural areas—connecting more Arizonans to high-speed, reliable internet.”

“Permitting-related delays continue to be one of the most significant barriers to connecting unserved communities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth. “We commend the Arizona Commerce Authority for their work to tackle this challenge. Permit Finder expands on the concept of NTIA’s free, publicly-available Permitting and Environmental Information Application, helping providers navigate complex, state-specific broadband permitting requirements more efficiently.”

“Permitting remains one of the broadband industry’s major pain points, but innovations like Arizona’s Permit Finder have the potential to remove months of uncertainty and frustration from broadband builds,” said Gary Bolton, President and CEO, Fiber Broadband Association. “Arizona is setting a great example, demonstrating the power states have in developing broadband solutions that can drive transparency into deployment processes, accelerate network construction, strengthen local partnerships, and deliver the connectivity that families and businesses deserve.”

“WIA congratulates the Arizona State Broadband Office on its creation and launch of the Arizona Permit Finder,” said Mike Saperstein, SVP of Government Affairs and Chief Strategy Officer, Wireless Infrastructure Association. “This innovative and forward-looking approach will enable predictable, proportional and transparent permitting processes for municipalities, applicants and communities across Arizona.”

“County officials have been regional leaders in the public/private partnership to deploy broadband across Arizona, and we really appreciate Governor Hobbs’ and the State Broadband Office’s efforts to support deployment, including a centralized information source to help with multi-jurisdictional permitting. Collaboration at all levels is critical to efficient, rapid deployment of this vital infrastructure,” said Craig Sullivan, Executive Director, County Supervisors Association of Arizona.

Latest efforts

The ACA’s State Broadband Office continues to advance the state’s plan for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the largest broadband investment in state history. In August, the ACA published the BEAD draft Final Proposal, confirming preliminary subgrantees and the timeline of when households can expect new broadband infrastructure and access – with plans to connect 100% of eligible households.  

After reviewing applications, the ACA provisionally selected 14 subgrantees to serve 184,066 Broadband Service Locations. The subgrantees have committed to a project match of more than $521 million.

In 2024, Governor Hobbs launched ConnectAllAZ, a statewide initiative that provides Arizona residents information about all state broadband programs, community engagement opportunities, and resources like webinars and action plans. The initiative includes the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program, which allocates $100 million for broadband infrastructure projects in Arizona’s unserved and underserved areas, and the Arizona Broadband Statewide Middle-Mile Program, developed to support broadband expansion efforts along Interstate 17, Interstate 19 and Interstate 40 in partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation.

For questions or additional information about the Permit Finder, please reach out to: [email protected].

Media Contact

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.