Heinrich, Luján Announce $108.5 Million In Infrastructure Law Funding To Deliver High-Speed Internet To Seven N.M. Counties

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $108,449,191 in Infrastructure Law funding to four New Mexico-based companies to expand reliable, affordable, high-speed internet for residents in seven counties. The funding will be delivered through USDA’s Rural Development Reconnect Loan and Grant Program.

“Improved access to reliable high-speed internet means improved access to education, health care, and economic opportunity,” said Heinrich. “Thanks to the Infrastructure Law, we are delivering major federal investments to develop the infrastructure needed to connect more New Mexicans to these services.”

“The lack of internet infrastructure in our rural communities has contributed immensely to the digital divide,” said Luján. “That’s why I’m pleased to welcome USDA’s investment boosting broadband infrastructure and high-speed internet access in our rural communities in New Mexico. A connection to the internet is a connection to your community, education, health care, and economic opportunities for all."

Senators Heinrich and Luján fought to include $65 billion in the Infrastructure Law to ensure New Mexicans have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet through a historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment. 

Senators Heinrich and Luján announced the following funding:

• $23,624,986 for Kit Carson Electric Cooperative Inc. to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 2,693 people, 42 businesses, 34 farms and eight educational facilities to high-speed internet in Rio Arriba County. 
• $24,999,998 for Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Inc. to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 2,970 people and 56 businesses to high-speed internet in Chaves and Lea counties. 
• $34,897,442 for Western New Mexico Telephone Company Inc. to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 678 people, 10 businesses and a farm to high-speed internet in Catron, Grant, and Hidalgo counties. 
• $24,926,765 for WNM Communications Corporation to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 3,093 people, 30 businesses, five farms and four educational facilities to high-speed internet in Grant and Luna counties.