[1st-mile-nm] Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Awardees in NM

[Richard Lowenberg]

Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Awardees in NM

Feb. 27, 2023

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded more than $175 
million to 61 colleges and universities as part of the Connecting 
Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC). These new awards cover 
colleges and universities in 29 states and four territories.

https://www.internetforall.gov/news-media/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-175-million-internet-all-grants-61-minority

The Connecting Minority Communities pilot program is part of the 
Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative that will 
connect everyone in America with affordable, reliable high-speed 
Internet service. This program specifically directs $268 million from 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 for expanding high-speed 
Internet access and connectivity to eligible HBCUs, Tribal Colleges or 
Universities (TCUs), and other Minority-serving institutions (MSIs).

List of New Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Awardees in 
New Mexico:

Eastern New Mexico University, Roswell
  $ 1,945,329.00

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell (ENMUR)'s "Creating Connected 
Communities to Provide Opportunities (Project C-3PO)" project aims to 
increase broadband connectivity and computer aptitude in the communities 
of Roswell, Dexter, Lake Arthur, Hagerman, and Midway, New Mexico. The 
project can be divided into three parts: (1) Education and Training, (2) 
Awareness and Access, and (3) Equipment and Support. ENMUR’ project 
activities will: survey community residents to identify gaps in computer 
literacy; develop computer training courses to be offered at community 
training locations; train IT support staff to assist with all IT needs 
on campus and to operate an extended hour computer support hotline; and 
establish learning centers at community anchor locations. The Awareness 
and Access activities will survey community residents to identify 
broadband access needs; develop and launch a marketing campaign; and 
work with participants to identify and assist them in obtaining low-cost 
broadband options. In the Equipment and Support category, ENMUR will: 
create an extended hour computer support hotline for students, community 
members, and MBEs; utilize hotspots as broadband access points; make 
laptops available for check out; and set up service plans for hotspots 
and public wireless systems.

New Mexico State University
  $ 1,686,620.00

New Mexico State University’s “Bringing Broadband to New Mexico State 
University and Surrounding Counties” project aims to increase broadband 
connectivity by installing broadband internet equipment to provide 
access to individuals in the community. The project activities will 
expand Internet access on South Campus; install a broadband network 
infrastructure to Farmington, NM; and purchase equipment and upgrades 
for additional stations for the Forestry Research center in Mora, NM and 
the Agricultural Science Center in Alcade, NM. As a result of 
implementing the project, New Mexico State University will expand and 
improve its broadband network resulting in better access for individuals 
on campus and in the community. The expansion to agricultural research 
and science centers will also improve connectivity for researchers and 
students to continue to support agricultural research. The upgrade will 
support online learning, increase the institution’s technology and IT 
capacity, and continue to provide support for research that sustains and 
supports New Mexico's diverse environment, farms, ranches, forests, and 
communities.

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
  $ 1,645,133.56

The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute’s “Parallel Network 
Upgrade” project aims to expand broadband to improve campus-wide network 
technology accessibility for students, staff, and faculty. The project 
activities include preparation, design planning, installation, 
implementation of the network. SIPI will gather information, initiate 
the vendor acquisition process, and award a contractor. Then, the 
contractor will create a map to define existing infrastructure, identify 
and purchase equipment required to successfully accomplish project 
goals, and create a network design plan for the campus IT Master Plan. 
Ultimately, SIPI will install new network-related equipment and replace 
outdated equipment and software technologies, including firewalls and 
cloud service servers. Then, the institution will implement trainings, 
security setup and install, backup procedures, and certification 
documentation for the upgraded network. Finally, SIPI will carry out 
service level agreements, emergency support, maintenance/service 
updates, and customer acceptance.



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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute       505-603-5200
28 Sunrise Road, Santa Fe, NM   87507
rl at 1st-mile.org      www.1st-mile.org
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