[1st-mile-nm] New Mexico Now Stands To Receive Millions In Federal Funding To Close Digital Divide

[Richard Lowenberg]

New Mexico Now Stands To Receive Millions In Federal Funding To Close 
Digital Divide

DoIT News: Submitted by Carol A. Clark
July 21, 2022

https://ladailypost.com/new-mexico-now-stands-to-receive-millions-in-federal-funding-to-close-digital-divide/

SANTA FE — New Mexico joined all 50 states and 6 territories in meeting 
critical deadlines for federal digital equity and broadband expansion 
funds included in the $65 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
(IIJA).

“Ensuring New Mexico is positioned to secure its fair share of federal 
funding is a top priority,” said Director Kelly Schlegel of the Office 
of Broadband Access and Expansion. “All New Mexicans deserve quality 
access to digital services, no matter the size of their community.”

The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, which is administratively 
connected to the New Mexico Department of Information Technology, 
submitted its application for Digital Equity Planning Grant Program 
support through the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration (NTIA).

The state also issued a letter of intent to NTIA, confirming New 
Mexico’s interest in the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and 
Deployment program – starting with $5 million in support for year-long 
work toward a 5-Year Action Plan, which is required to unlock hundreds 
of millions of dollars in future program funding for broadband 
expansion. To meet another milestone, the state will provide a more 
detailed proposal to NTIA outlining the state’s anticipated use of the 
$5 million planning funds by August 15.

“We are taking a disciplined approach to accelerating New Mexico’s 
digital transformation, which will allow all New Mexicans to fully 
participate in today’s economy,” Schlegel said. “Optimizing federal 
grant funding to launch a collaborative, state-led effort will empower 
our local governments, tribes, schools, small businesses and community 
organizations to eliminate the digital divide together – forever.”

In addition, the state applied for approximately $740,000 in funding to 
support year-long digital equity planning, analysis, outreach, and 
engagement. This work will precede an anticipated $17 million for New 
Mexico in federal Digital Equity Capacity Grant support in 2023, and an 
additional $1.25 billion in competitive funding available nationally 
starting in 2024 through NTIA’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant 
Program.

“New Mexico must have adequate funding to ultimately be successful in 
eliminating the digital divide and meeting these critical federal 
milestones are fundamental to achieving the overall New Mexico state 
plan of collaboration, innovative approaches, comprehensive middle mile 
development, support for alternative technologies for hard-to-reach 
regions and achieve 100 percent connectivity,” Schlegel said.


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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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