Heinrich, Luján, Vasquez Announce $9.2 Million in Funding from Infrastructure Law To Deliver High-Speed Internet To Sierra and Doña Ana Counties

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $9,256,350 in funding from the Infrastructure Law for New Mexico-based Sacred Wind Communications to expand reliable, affordable, high-speed internet for residents in Sierra and Doña Ana 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 many more households, schools, small businesses, and farms in southern New Mexico to affordable, high-speed internet.”

 

“Connecting communities to affordable and reliable high-speed internet access is critical for work, education, and access to health care,” said Luján. “That’s why today’s grant announcement represents great strides toward 100% connectivity. This investment will deploy broadband throughout southern New Mexico, benefiting businesses, farms, and education facilities – bringing us one step closer to closing the digital divide.”

 

“High-speed internet is needed to connect New Mexicans, and it is critical that everyone has reliable internet, no matter where they choose to live,” said Vasquez. “This $9.2 million investment from the federal government will help connect Sierra and Doña Ana counties, ensuring they have better access to education, health care and good-paying jobs.”

 

This Rural Development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 4,962 people, 106 businesses, 11 farms, and 17 educational facilities in Doña Ana and Sierra counties in New Mexico. Sacred Wind Communications (SWC) Telesolutions, Inc. will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program.