Enchantment State News

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that New Mexico has received final federal approval to pursue $675 million in federal grant funding to expand broadband access across the state.

“The Biden-Harris administration’s $675 million investment in New Mexico will help transform our digital infrastructure,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “This funding empowers New Mexico to bridge the digital divide and create equal opportunities across the state, especially for 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.

The NTIA’s endorsement 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. These grants aim to fund infrastructure projects that promise high-speed internet access for tens of thousands of households currently lacking effective service.

“The Governor’s office and our team are elated and grateful for the NTIA’s approval,” said Drew Lovelace, Acting Director of OBAE. “In today’s world, high-speed internet is not a luxury but a necessity. Ensuring access to broadband in rural and hard-to-reach areas means New Mexicans will gain access to essential services like telehealth and distance learning, and communities will enjoy greater economic opportunities.”

The approval requires that the state submit a final proposal within a year, detailing chosen subgrantees and funding strategies for delivering broadband to unserved and underserved locations—those lacking speeds of at least 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. Upon NTIA's approval of this final proposal in 2025, construction of broadband infrastructure can commence.

Federal and state data indicate that 16% of New Mexico’s 873,797 serviceable locations are either unserved or underserved; specifically, 70,609 (8%) are completely unserved while an additional 72,384 (8%) are underserved. Through initiatives like the Connect NM Pilot Program, OBAE is already working towards bringing high-speed internet to over 45,000 locations statewide.