[1st-mile-nm] Connect New Mexico Pilot Program Funding

[Richard Lowenberg]

New Mexico announced $38.6 million in funding to four providers through 
its Connect New Mexico Pilot Program. The state funding will be matched 
by $28.3 million "in nonstate funding" for a total of $66.9 million. The 
four awards were granted to Comcast, Central New Mexico Electric 
Cooperative, Ethos Broadband and Socorro Electric Cooperative. The 
buildout is expected to reach "more than 13,400 homes, businesses, 
farms, ranches and community institutions," according to a press release 
from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's office, which noted it's the 
state's "most ambitious broadband expansion effort in history." This is 
the first batch of funding to be delivered from the state's $120 million 
Connect New Mexico Pilot Program, funded through the American Rescue 
Plan. Notably, voters in New Mexico approved a ballot measure last week 
that exempts Internet infrastructure projects from the state 
constitution's ban on "lending, pledging credit, or donating to any 
person, association, or public or private corporation." The governor's 
office said it's accepting applications for the second wave of funding 
through December 9, 2022, and for the third wave through February 27, 
2023.

https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/the-buildout-new-mexico-taps-comcast-electric-co-ops-for-broadband-grants/d/d-id/781741



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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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