New Mexico Details $1.25 Million Broadband Program Deadlines, Criteria

The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has released program details for the fourth wave of the Connect New Mexico Pilot Program. The award, which is for $1.251 million, focuses on connectivity to geographic areas that had been declared disaster areas between 2022 and last year and eligible underserved broadband serviceable locations (BSL) in those areas. These New Mexico broadband awards were authorized under NM House Bill 2. The key dates for these New Mexico broadband grants:

• January 27: Issuance of NOFO, scoring guide, and application
• January 27 to March 21: Application submission window
• March 24 to April 4: OBAE reviews and scores applications
• Early to mid-May: Provisional awardees contacted
• End of May: Awardees sign grant award agreement
• End of June: Awardee start grant-funded activities and incur expenses
• December 31, 2026: Project must be completed and all grant and match funds be expended