New Mexico Secures $675 Million Federal Grant to Expand Broadband Access
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Friday that New Mexico has received final federal approval to access $675 million in grant funding aimed at expanding broadband access across the state.
“The Biden-Harris administration’s $675 million investment will significantly enhance our digital infrastructure,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “This funding will bridge the digital divide and ensure equal opportunities across New Mexico, particularly benefiting our rural and tribal communities.”
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Volume 2 of New Mexico’s initial proposal under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This approval allows the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) to begin the grant application process, inviting local governments, tribal communities, non-profits, internet service providers, and electric cooperatives to participate in this transformative project. The grants will support infrastructure projects designed to provide high-speed internet to tens of thousands of households currently lacking effective internet service.
“We are thrilled and thankful for the NTIA’s approval,” said Drew Lovelace, Acting Director of OBAE. “High-speed internet is now essential, not just a luxury. Expanding broadband to rural and underserved areas will improve access to crucial services like telehealth and distance learning and foster greater economic opportunities for communities.”
The state is required to submit a final proposal within a year, outlining the selected subgrantees and strategies for delivering broadband to areas with insufficient coverage, specifically those lacking speeds of at least 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. Construction of the broadband infrastructure will begin once the NTIA approves the final proposal in 2025.
Current data indicates that 16% of New Mexico’s 873,797 serviceable locations are either unserved or underserved, with 70,609 locations (8%) completely unserved and 72,384 (8%) underserved. Initiatives such as the Connect NM Pilot Program are already underway, aiming to bring high-speed internet to over 45,000 locations across the state.
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