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

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 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state. 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.

New Mexico will also 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.