A New Mexico program designed to expand access to broadband internet, bridge the digital divide and foster socioeconomic progress has extended its deadline to apply for grants to April 3.
The state's Office of Broadband Access and Expansion last week announced the extension for its third round of Connect New Mexico Pilot Program grants.
Existing and emerging Internet providers can apply on the Department of Information Technology's website to receive grant money that would cover up to 75% of infrastructure and other costs for broadband buildout.
“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," Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Director Kelly Schlegel said in a prepared statement.
The $123 million program launched in August. Nearly $40 million in grants were announced three months later. Second-round grant recipients are scheduled to be announced later this spring.
New Mexico ranks above only Mississippi in terms of households with broadband internet subscription — 84.3%, according to 2021 U.S. Census survey data.
And those in areas of New Mexico that have little-to-no reliable high-speed internet — shown on this Federal Communications Commission map — can often benefit more from internet-based services like telemedicine or video that require higher speed connections.
