GRANTS, N.M. – Continental Divide Electric Cooperative in Grants, New Mexico, is the primary power utility for the people of rural Cibola County. CDEC has a program called RedBolt, which delivers high-speed internet access to residents across Cibola, and thanks to a new grant from the federal government, this high-speed internet will soon be accessible to the Laguna and Acoma Pueblos.
Expecting to connect over 600 Cibola residents to high-speed internet, CDEC’s funding for this massive project comes in the form of a $3.6 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.
“Connectivity is critical to economic success in rural America,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “The internet is vital to our growth and continues to act as a catalyst for our prosperity. From the farm to the school, from households to international markets, connectivity drives positive change in our communities. The investments I am announcing today will help 31,000 people and businesses in large and diverse regions across the country access new and critical opportunities. Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA knows rural America is America’s backbone, and prosperity here means prosperity for all.”
What is coming to Cibola?
Across the country, the US is investing $401 million to bring highspeed internet to people in rural areas. This new effort expects to bring internet access to 31,000 rural residents and businesses across 11 states, including New Mexico.
CDEC will receive $3,681,000 to construct what the USDA calls a “fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network” which is expected to connect 606 Cibola residents, eight businesses, 34 farms, and two public school buildings to the high-speed network.
Network prices are required to stay affordable for consumers, as according to rules by the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Plan and Affordable Connectivity Plan.
The areas to be affected by this grant will be the Laguna Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo, Acoma Off-Reservation Trust Land. Specifically, the program will benefit what the USDA calls, “Socially vulnerable communities.”
Other Investments in New Mexico
CDEC is not the only power utility in New Mexico to receive such an award from the USDA. Eastern New Mexico Rural received $14,749,747 to provide free Wi-Fi service to Colfax, De Baca, Guadalupe, San Miguel, and Socorro Counties. Penasco Valley Telecom will receive $28,927,570 to expand their services in Otero and Eddy Counties. Tularosa Basin Telephone Company received $5,825,102 to expand its services to the Mescalero Reservation and Otero County. Valley Telephone Cooperative is a network that provides services to Southeast Arizona and Southwest New Mexico, they are receiving $44,924,000 to expand services to Hidalgo and Luna Counties.