Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Announces Third Wave of Connect New Mexico Pilot Program Funding

The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has extended the deadline for Wave Three of the Connect New Mexico Pilot Program (“Pilot Program”). The application period will close on April 3, 2023. The Pilot Program aims to bridge the digital divide and foster socioeconomic progress by providing infrastructure grants for broadband deployment to unserved and underserved communities across New Mexico. The $123 million pilot program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF). OBAE launched the program in August 2022 and announced Wave One awards in November 2022. An initial set of Wave 2 awards will be announced later in March and April 2023. OBAE invites existing and emerging Internet providers to participate and encourages partnerships between local and tribal governments. According to OBAE Director Kelly Schlegel, “The strongest proposals to date directly serve qualifying residential, business, and community premises with future-proof networks backed by “skin in the game,” and offer a range of affordably-priced services while fostering adoption through targeted programs.”