Prescott, Ariz., November 21, 2025 – The digital future officially arrived in “Everybody’s Hometown” today. Prescott leaders and Wecom Fiber officials commemorated the start of construction on a high-speed broadband network designed to transform connectivity for the community.

In a ceremony on historic Whiskey Row, followed by a ribbon-cutting at the Yavapai County Courthouse, the message was clear: ultra-fast internet is coming, and it’s entirely privately financed.

This isn’t a small-scale project. Wecom’s $38 million broadband initiative, funded 100% by private capital without a single taxpayer dollar, will ultimately serve an estimated 26,000 Prescott homes and businesses. Imagine multi-gigabit internet speeds — a game-changer for everything from seamless online streaming and remote work to critical telehealth appointments and advanced education.

Prescott Vice Mayor Connie Cantelme summed it up perfectly: “Wecom’s ultra-fast fiber broadband will be a worthy addition to Everybody’s Hometown – and all without any cost to the City of Prescott!”

The Prescott City Council unanimously granted Wecom the fiber installation license in August, setting the stage for this ambitious rollout. Wecom Fiber CEO Paul Fleming expressed his excitement, noting the network will provide residents and employers with “some of the fastest and most reliable Internet service on the market.”

While full completion is slated for early 2027, many locations can expect to subscribe well before then. Is your current internet service keeping pace with these modern demands? For Prescott, the answer is about to be a resounding yes.

This project is a critical piece of a larger puzzle to bridge the digital divide, a mission passionately championed by local leaders. State Rep. Selina Bliss, a Prescott resident, lauded Wecom’s “vital work to close the digital divide across Arizona, Yavapai County, and right here in Prescott.”

Indeed, Wecom is fast becoming a household name across Yavapai County, with projects already underway in Prescott Valley, Cordes Lakes, Spring Valley, and other rural or unincorporated areas.

In 2024 alone, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors awarded Wecom an $8.1 million grant to bring fiber to approximately 6,500 homes in these underserved regions.

Wecom, founded nearly 70 years ago in Kingman as a telecommunications company, has evolved into a leading provider of fiber-to-the-premises broadband across rural Arizona. Their commitment extends beyond Yavapai, with partnerships in Coconino, Mohave, Pinal, and La Paz counties, including a $45 million fiber network installation in Flagstaff.

Sheri Heiney, President & CEO of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the economic boon, stating that fast, reliable broadband is “a must-have for today’s businesses” and will help Prescott “compete for quality jobs and employers.” This isn’t just about faster downloads; it’s about future-proofing a community.

To underscore their commitment, Wecom presented a check for $1,000 to Arizona’s Christmas City, supporting the beloved holiday lighting of Courthouse Square. It’s a small, thoughtful gesture that connects a major infrastructure upgrade to the heart of local tradition.

The question for other Arizona communities, and indeed for towns across the globe facing similar connectivity challenges, isn’t whether they need fiber, but how quickly they can replicate Prescott’s success.