Department of Commerce Invests $3.2 Million for Tribal Broadband Infrastructure in Montezuma County, Colorado

US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.2 million grant to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Towaoc (CO) to construct broadband infrastructure. The project will provide high-speed internet service connecting the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation and the city of Towaoc to the city of Cortez, increasing access to distance learning and telemedicine, supporting public safety, and allowing for business and entrepreneurial growth across the reservation and region. This EDA investment is expected to create 33 jobs and generate $550,000 in private investment. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Organization. EDA funds the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Organization to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.