High-Speed Happenings
Federal government approves state’s broadband deployment plan that would release $675 million for connectivity
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Volume 2 of the state’s Initial Proposal under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. That program provides federal dollars to states and territories to fund broadband planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption projects to unserved and underserved locations.
The NTIA’s approval for the state clears the way for the state’s Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) to begin the application process to select grant awardees. Local governments, tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers, cooperatives and other entities will be eligible for state grants to deploy infrastructure projects across the state.
The approval of the Initial Proposal Volume 2 means the state will have one year to submit a Final Proposal that will include the subgrantee selections and details on how the state will provide funding for service to unserved and underserved locations, the latter meaning any location without access to broadband speeds of at least 100Mbps downloads and 20 Mbps uploads.
Once the NTIA green lights the Final Proposal, broadband construction can begin.
“This approval is a big move forward in our efforts to bring connectivity to all New Mexicans. We are delighted and grateful that the NTIA has accepted our Initial Proposals,” said Drew Lovelace, Acting Director of OBAE. “High-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity in these challenging times. Providing broadband to rural and hard-to-reach areas means New Mexicans will have access to telehealth, distance learning, job opportunities, government services and economic growth.”
“As we reach this milestone, we are keenly aware that many New Mexicans needed broadband yesterday,” said Andrew Wilder, OBAE’s BEAD Coordinator. “The approval of our Initial Proposals frees us to begin a critical phase of the BEAD Program, when the entities that will finally bring service to these families will be selected.”
Here's the press release issued by the Governor's Office
More Than $1.4 Million in State Grants Awarded to Counties, Pueblos and Other Entities to Help Deploy Broadband
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has announced 15 awardees that will receive state grants totaling more than $1.4 million as part of the Grant Writing, Engineering and Planning (GWEP) program. The state had allocated $5 million in GWEP funds to help tribes, local governments and cooperatives attain grants to help them provide broadband to unserved areas.
“This is a big step forward to helping unserved regions of our state attain high-speed internet,” said Drew Lovelace, Acting Director of OBAE. “These are critical state funds that will be used as part of the broadband deployment process.”
The GWEP program grants will be used by the awardees for such things as grant writing, engineering and planning. These grants can also be used to attain other grants, like the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Awardees will use the funds to help provide broadband infrastructure, planning services and broadband engineering/design projects.
All GWEP awards are assistance and not merit grants, and the money must go toward infrastructure. Internet Service Providers are not eligible to apply for GWEP dollars.
The grants were awarded in two rounds this past month.
Here are the grant awardees:
Round 1 Round 2
Village of Pecos $100,000 Santa Fe County $100,000
Valencia County $100,000 Colfax County $72,635
Pueblo of Isleta $100,000 City of Raton $100,000
San Ildefonso Services, LLC $100,000 Pueblo of Picuris $100,000
Pueblo of Laguna $100,000 Redi-Net $100,000
Pueblo of Jemez $100,000 Penasco Valley Telephone Co-op $72,500
Otero County $100,000 Jemez Mountains Electric Co-op $100,000
Luna County $99,000
OBAE’s Grant Writing, Engineering and Planning program is urging tribal governments, local governments, rural telephone cooperatives and rural electric cooperatives to submit for assistance grants.
There are still millions of dollars available in GWEP awards.
To submit for a grant, click here: https://obae.submittable.com/submit
For more information about GWEP, click here: https://connect.nm.gov/obae-funding.htm
CALL TO ACTION:
Tribal and local governments applying for GWEP can partner with ISPs for BEAD
Tribal governments, local government units, and rural telephone and electric cooperatives are all eligible to apply for Grant Writing, Engineering and Planning (GWEP) awards. Tribal and local governments may want to participate in broadband deployment projects, such as the upcoming Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. If a local or Tribal government does not have the capability to deploy a broadband infrastructure project, they are encouraged to partner with an ISP or other company capable of deploying broadband infrastructure.
Tribal and local governments can apply for GWEP and use the funding to apply for BEAD and complete the planning and engineering for the broadband deployment project. Then, if awarded BEAD funds, the ISP or other company the Tribal or local government partnered with would build the network, using the planning and engineering the Tribal/local entity created using GWEP funds.
These partnerships can take several forms, such as a traditional contractual relationship through a request for proposal. The parties would need to consider issues such as ownership and operation of assets, and who would provide match funding. Whatever form the partnership takes, this strategy offers a path to maximize the use of public dollars toward expanding access to broadband across New Mexico.
Santo Domingo Pueblo Receives Federal Broadband Grant
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The Santo Domingo Pueblo has received a $13 million broadband grant through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. That's part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative that will connect everyone in America with affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.
U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves, NM U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, NM Indian Affairs Secretary Josett Monette and OBAE Acting Director Drew Lovelace were among the dignitaries who spoke at the event.
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 U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, NM Indian Affairs Secretary Josett Monette and OBAE Acting Director Drew Lovelace join Santo Domingo Pueblo Governor Frank Nieto and Lt. Governor Jonathan Garcia in announcing the federal broadband grant
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This grant, along with OBAE's $9.1 million Connect New Mexico grant in 2023, is helping the Pueblo further develop its own tribally-owned internet company that will connect fiber to more than 1,200 homes and businesses that include Santo Domingo Pueblo, Sile and Pena Blanca. |
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"This is a great example of local, tribal, state and federal entities working together to get high-speed internet to much-needed homes and businesses," said Lovelace. "We will continue to work together to try to bring broadband to communities that need it." |
Funding Available for NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grants
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has issued its Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its Digital Equity Competitive Grant program. Applicants can now seek federal grants through the program.
To apply CLICK HERE.
For more information on the program and to register for upcoming webinars, CLICK HERE.
USDA: $25 Million Available to Help Expand High-Speed Internet in Rural Parts of the Nation
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The USDA Rural Development has made $25 million available through its Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program. The money will help communities build technical assistance and training to improve broadband adoption in rural America.
The program is designed to help local organizations, cooperatives and Tribes expand affordable, high-speed internet projects in rural communities. There is no cost share or matching requirement.
Application closes on August 20, 2024
CLICK HERE to learn more and apply.
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OBAE Discusses its Mission and Progress at Governor's "Cabinet in Your Community" Events in Eastern New Mexico
 OBAE Acting Director Drew Lovelace addresses attendees at "Cabinet in Your Community" in Clovis
The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion was among the many Departments and Agencies that took part in the Governor's "Cabinet in Your Community" events July 8-9 in Clovis and Portales. The events at Clovis Community College and Eastern New Mexico University served as an opportunity for residents to address Cabinet members and ask questions about services and problems in their communities.
Constituents asked the Governor and her Cabinet about a variety of issues. OBAE Acting Director Drew Lovelace talked about what his Office is doing to expand broadband across New Mexico and why it's so important in these times.
Before the Governor held the town hall meetings, Departments and Agencies took part in expos to interact with constituents and answer questions. Residents learned about state services, assistance opportunities and various available programs. OBAE had a booth where Lovelace and project managers talked to residents about broadband expansion, ongoing projects and the Office's progress.
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