New Mexico broadband office approves $6.7 million in grants for public Wi-Fi

The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) announced six grants to implement or expand public Wi-Fi service across New Mexico. Two cities, two counties, a university, and an internet service provider received awards through OBAE’s Community Connect Grant Program, designed to expand free Wi-Fi in public places, such as plazas, parks, and municipal buildings.  The six awardees receiving a total of $6.72 million in Community Connect grants include:

• Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell     $2,162,229
• SWC Telesolutions, Inc.                               $2,040,951                  
• City of Las Cruces                                        $1,427,361                         
• Dona Ana County                                         $515,912                   
• Luna County                                                 $328,767                 
• City of Raton                                                 $250,000 

Funding for the Community Connect Grant Program comes from OBAE’s $70 million Connect New Mexico Fund appropriated by the legislature. That fund was established in 2021 through the Connect New Mexico Act.