Santa Fe, NM— As 2023 is rapidly coming to an end, the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is proud to reflect on a year marked by significant accomplishments and community impact.
Key Achievements in 2023 included:
1. Organizational Growth: The office almost quadrupled its workforce to 22 employees. Plans are underway to further grow the team in 2024, enhancing capacity to deliver on OBAE’s mission to achieve meaningful and affordable broadband for all New Mexicans including the unserved and underserved.
2. Expansion Initiative: Following the announcement of a $675 million Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment grant allocation from the Biden Administration to expand broadband across the state, OBAE engaged directly with tribes, local ISPs, telephone cooperatives, electric cooperatives, and local communities to hear directly from stakeholders in order to ensure grant application alignment that reflected the unique needs of their communities.
OBAE met with all 23 tribes and pueblos in New Mexico in addition to six regional community engagements and one statewide broadband summit.
OBAE submitted initial proposal documents to NTIA in December for grant program design.
As a result, over $19 million was awarded to tribes, cooperatives, and ISPs, with celebrations held in their respective communities.
Federally approved grant program will launch in 2024.
3. Serving the Underserved: OBAE awarded $117M in ARPA funds to serve unserved in 2023.
17 projects serving 26,002 Broadband Serviceable locations (24,349 homes; 1,190 businesses; 207 community anchor institutions [CAIs]; and 256 farms).
A few projects have started while most will get going in 2024.
4. Grant Administration: OBAE launched two grant programs for Connect New Mexico Fund in 2023 positioning the Office to make awards in 2024.
$5M Grant Program for Grant Writing, Engineering, and Planning for connecting the unserved with awards to go out in early 2024.
$70M Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program with awards to go out second quarter of 2024.
5. Legislative and Policy Successes: With the support and leadership of the governor and bill sponsors, OBAE successfully pursued a package of broadband bills to break down barriers to facilitate better, faster internet for all New Mexicans. OBAE passed six of seven bills during the 2023 session.
6. Advocacy and Engagement: The first annual Broadband Day was held at the New Mexico State Capitol on February 15, 2023 with participation by a cross section of partners and advocates, bringing together stakeholders, and engaging with hundreds of New Mexicans. The second annual Broadband Day is planned for January 24, 2024.
7. Community Impact & Workforce Development: Community meetings were held in all six regions of the state, including a special Broadband Initiative on the Navajo Nation. Listening sessions for tribal, business, healthcare, and workforce development partners demonstrated a commitment to inclusive decision-making. Collaboration with local universities, community colleges, and industry set a foundation for a future workforce collaboration. New Mexico residents can now access fiber optic training courses through Santa Fe Community College at low or no cost, with other community colleges expected to follow suit in 2024.
8. Education & Empowerment: 'Let's Get Going Broadband Bootcamps' in Anthony and at the Tesuque Pueblo proved highly successful, contributing to hands-on learning and community engagement.
Looking ahead to 2024, the office is poised for continued growth and the realization of impactful initiatives. Initiatives and Priorities for 2024 include:
• Legislative Initiatives: OBAE is developing a robust legislative agenda for 2024 to address key priorities and advancing the cause of broadband expansion in the state.
• Financial Awards: With millions of dollars earmarked for awards, many more communities will benefit, bringing about transformative change in the communities they serve.
• Digital Equity: Acknowledging the power and responsibility that come with expanded internet access, OBAE is committed to addressing challenges related to knowledge, tools, and affordability, recognizing that mere internet provision is not sufficient.
In reflecting on the year’s accomplishments, Acting Director Drew Lovelace stated “Access to affordable broadband and meaningful usage of broadband internet is about connecting people to every aspect of life that is online. While connecting people online is mission centric for OBAE, we are building a family centric culture at broadband. We hope New Mexicans have had the opportunities to meaningfully connect with and enjoy their loved ones during the holiday season and wish all a happy new year.”