ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Three New Mexico communities have been awarded new broadband planning grants as part of the state’s ongoing effort to expand internet infrastructure to underserved areas.
The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) on Monday announced $300,000 in new awards under its Grant Writing, Engineering and Planning (GWEP) Program. Valencia County, the Pueblo of Laguna, and the Pueblo of Acoma will each receive $100,000 to support local broadband deployment efforts.
These latest awards bring the total amount distributed through the GWEP program to $3.1 million. According to OBAE, $1.9 million remains available, but the funds must be used by June 2026.
“This is a critical opportunity for communities that have historically lacked access to reliable internet,” said Jeff Lopez, director of OBAE. “These underserved communities desperately need connectivity, and these awards will help transform community landscapes and change lives.”
The GWEP program is designed to help tribal and rural communities prepare for broadband infrastructure projects, including applying for larger federal programs like the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) initiative. Unlike many other grant programs, GWEP does not require matching funds and offers broad flexibility in how funds can be used.
Eligible uses include strategic planning, engineering services, grant writing, and infrastructure assessments. Awards are non-competitive, and applicants may apply more than once.
To date, the program has supported 31 projects across New Mexico, including 14 tribal communities, 14 local governments, and three rural cooperatives.
Tribal governments, rural electric cooperatives, rural telephone cooperatives, and local governments are all encouraged to apply.
Applications can be submitted online at obae.submittable.com/sub mit, and additional program information is available at connect.nm.gov/gwep.html