Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham | https://www.governor.state.nm.us/our-leadership/governor/
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the state will receive more than $675 million in federal assistance to expand broadband access.
The funding will be used for addressing the digital divide and promoting equitable opportunities for its residents, according to according to a June 26 news release from the governor's office.
“This funding empowers New Mexico to continue to bridge the digital divide and create equal opportunities for our residents," Grisham said in the release. "I’m grateful to President Biden and New Mexico’s Congressional delegation for their roles in securing this funding for our state.”
The funding, provided through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be utilized to implement a comprehensive plan to enhance connectivity, the release reported. By the end of this year, the state will submit a detailed proposal to the federal government outlining the deployment strategy, with a particular focus on improving internet access in underserved communities, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and Tribal lands.
“It is no accident that this funding made up the largest percentage of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," Grisham said in the release. "Broadband projects are incredibly expensive and a vital part every aspect of our lives.”
“We recognize that reliable high-speed internet access has become vital, enabling access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities and essential government services,” Director of the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Kelly Schlegel said in the release. “This funding will help us serve so many of our unserved communities in rural New Mexico.”
Grisham unveiled Connect New Mexico in 2022, the release reported. Connect New Mexico is a pilot program aimed at bridging the digital divide by offering up to 75% coverage for network expansion in unserved and underserved areas of the state.
Building on this commitment, the governor also allocated a substantial $54 million in grants and an additional $35 million in matching funds earlier this year to further support and accelerate broadband projects, reinforcing the state's dedication to improving connectivity for all residents, according to the release.
