[1st-mile-nm] NTIA Awards $5.7 Million to NM in ‘Internet for All’ Planning Grants

[Richard Lowenberg]

Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $5.7 Million to New Mexico 
in ‘Internet for All’ Planning Grants

DECEMBER 22, 2022
https://www.internetforall.gov/news-media/biden-harris-administration-awards-more-57-million-new-mexico-internet-all-planning

WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that New Mexico received 
its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet 
networks and developing digital skills training programs under the 
Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. New Mexico is 
receiving $5,740,534.91 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure 
Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption 
of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service 
throughout the state.

"Internet for All initiatives will support the provision of Internet 
connectivity for all with a focus on connecting unserved and underserved 
communities," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.  "I commend 
Governor Lujan Grisham for her work to advance reliable, high-speed 
Internet throughout New Mexico.  This work is imperative to ensure 
equitable access to educational and economic opportunities."

(snip)

New Mexico will receive $5 million to fund various activities including:
•	Helping close the broadband availability gap and the development of a 
Five-Year Action Plan;
•	Research and data collection, including initial identification of 
unserved locations and underserved locations;
•	Publications, outreach, and communications support;
•	Providing technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including 
through workshops and events;
•	Conducting surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented 
communities to better understand barriers to adoption.

The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant 
programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, 
technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital 
economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is 
to fund digital equity planning efforts.

New Mexico will receive $740,534.91 to fund various activities 
including:
•	Helping close the digital equity gap and the development of a 
Statewide Digital Equity Plan;
•	Assessing the current state of digital equity programs across New 
Mexico;
•	Analyzing the needs and barriers to digital equity for all residents, 
specifically for covered populations;
•	Creating measurable objectives to advance digital equity and create 
impact on state-wide economic development, education, health, civic 
engagement, and essential services;
•	Creating an implementation strategy that includes clear goals and 
performance measures, prioritizes investments, and articulates 
governance and oversight for the strategy.

(snip)


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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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