A recent Applied Analysis study finds that Cox Communications has a $5.5 billion economic impact on Arizona each year.

Cox, the largest family-owned telecommunications provider in the nation, contributes more than $84 million in state and local taxes and franchise fees each year. Additionally, the company and its employees give over $33 million annually  to nonprofits and community programs.

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The company has more than 3,100 employees in Arizona and supports over 11,000 jobs across the state.

“Upholding the commitment to the communities where we work and live that was made by our founder, Governor James Cox, Cox is proud to have a history of contributing billions of dollars to the Arizona economy through investment and employment,” said Cox Southwest Vice President and Region Manager, Percy Kirk. “We are committed to providing great service and the fastest internet speeds in the state.” 

Pandemic assistance

Last year, Cox launched ConnectAssist, a program for lower-income families to receive discounted modem rental and internet packages, as part of its efforts to create digital equity and ensure all Arizonans are connected to high-speed, reliable internet.

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how important connectivity is, as many schools and workplaces moved online. During the pandemic, Cox pledged $60 million to help close the “digital divide”, in addition to offering free and heavily discounted subscriptions for families in need.

The company operates 43 computer labs across Arizona, as part of a partnership with various nonprofits throughout the state.

In total, more than 69,000 families with children received assistance from Cox throughout the pandemic.

Rural broadband

The company is also integral to Arizona’s push to fully connect rural and tribal Arizonans with high-speed internet. Over the past couple of years, the state has surpassed the national average of households connected to broadband internet connections, but rural areas continue to lag.

Gov. Doug Ducey in February announced a $68.1 million investment to expand broadband connectivity along Interstate 40 West from Flagstaff to the California border.

In March, as part of a $2.7 billion nationwide investment, Cox is bringing high-speed internet and communications infrastructure to the southern Arizona community of Huachuca City and to parts of Sierra Vista.  

Since 2010, Cox has invested $2.7 billion in Arizona’s communications infrastructure and now operates more than 30,000 miles of fiber optic and coaxial infrastructure across the state.

 

Author: Arjun Rondla is an undergraduate studying political science and international trade at Arizona State University and an intern at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.