[1st-mile-nm] Gov. Lujan Grisham signs measures advancing broadband connection and development

[Eric Renz-Whitmore]

I'm curious what folks in this group think.

Any particular opportunities missed - and/or any aspects of this that
merit continued eyes and engagement?

e

On Fri, Apr 9, 2021 at 10:50 AM Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org> wrote:

> Gov. Lujan Grisham signs measures advancing broadband connection and
> development
>
> Apr 7, 2021 | Press Releases
>
> https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/04/07/gov-lujan-grisham-signs-measures-advancing-broadband-connection-and-development/
>
> SANTA FE – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday signed a pair of
> measures moving the state one step closer to providing New Mexico with
> the broadband capacity to connect all New Mexicans to reliable,
> high-speed internet.
>
> Senate Bill 93 establishes an Office of Broadband Access and Expansion
> to centralize and coordinate broadband activities across state
> government agencies, local governmental bodies, tribal governmental
> organizations and internet service providers. The Office of Broadband
> will be responsible for developing a three-year broadband strategic and
> operational plan providing guiding principles and operational criteria
> for significant broadband deployment and expansion for New Mexico.
>
> House Bill 10 establishes the Connect New Mexico Fund and the Connect
> New Mexico Council, which will provide state grant funding for broadband
> infrastructure statewide and conduct and enact oversight and
> accountability requirements; the legislation also significantly
> increases the annual distribution for broadband infrastructure from the
> State Rural Universal Service Fund.
>
> The broadband office will conduct statewide meetings for the purpose of
> gathering recommendations and feedback on how to best move forward with
> existing stakeholder plans for broadband expansion for all New Mexicans.
>
> The Connect New Mexico Council will consist of 15 members who will
> oversee $130 million in broadband grant and infrastructure
> appropriations made in the 2021 session.
>
> Sponsors of the two measures included Sen. Michael Padilla, Sen. Liz
> Stefanics, Rep. Natalie Figueroa, Rep. Joy Garratt, Rep. Susan Herrera,
> Rep. Candie Sweetser and Rep. Christine Chandler.
>
> “The pandemic has underscored the urgent need for reliable internet
> access for every single student and family and business,” said Gov.
> Lujan Grisham. “We must and we will provide every New Mexican with
> quality and affordable broadband service, and these measures advance the
> subject.”
>
> “Today marks a giant step forward for New Mexico,” said Sen. Michael
> Padilla. “The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion will help
> centralize and coordinate our efforts to build out a broadband
> infrastructure that will bring economic development, distance learning
> and telehealth delivery across the state, including some of the hardest
> to reach areas. And, this office could help generate close to a billion
> dollars in federal funding for New Mexico – critical dollars that will
> go toward ensuring comprehensive coverage and the best use of the latest
> technologies. Thank you Governor Lujan Grisham for signing this
> important legislation.”
>
> “A centralized and focused effort to deliver broadband across New Mexico
> will be an economic driver for business owners, remote workers, and
> companies looking to relocate to New Mexico and invest in new
> technologies, “ said Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes.
>
> “The digital divide is nothing new, but the pandemic made it clear that
> closing it must be a priority for New Mexico if we’re going to honor our
> commitment to provide every child with a full and equitable education,”
> said Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart. “Through public-private
> partnerships, we narrowed the divide considerably this year by getting
> many school children the access they needed to digital devices and
> high-speed internet. With this legislation, we’re on the path to close
> that divide once and for all.”
>
> “The pandemic exposed the tremendous need for communications
> infrastructure in our rural and tribal communities,” said Indian Affairs
> Secretary Lynn Trujillo. “Broadband access will help our students
> succeed, local businesses thrive, and will ensure vital information
> reaches every citizen in our state.”
>
> “I look forward to working closely with the council members in
> formulating a broadband framework plan that encompasses strategic
> planning, program oversight, and grant award methodologies,” said
> Information and Technology Secretary John Salazar. “Many members of the
> legislature on both sides of the aisle worked diligently over the past
> year to understand the challenges we face in bringing broadband to New
> Mexico and ensure passage of this much-needed legislation. We look
> forward to working with them and stakeholders from a wide range of
> communities in the months ahead to ensure every New Mexican can get the
> reliable and affordable internet access they need and deserve.”
>
> The governor on Wednesday also signed Senate Bill 204, sponsored by Sen.
> Michael Padilla, to provide access to the State Rural Universal Services
> Fund to Sacred Wind Communications, which delivers broadband access to
> the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas.
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
> 1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
> Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
> rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
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>


-- 
___

Eric Renz-Whitmore
community centered economic development

     twitter: @ewhitmore
     cell:  (505) 227-1086
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