Luján Announces $9.2 Million for Broadband Deployment in Doña Ana County

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) visited Radium Springs Community Center to join New Mexico local officials and Ethos Broadband Inc.representatives to announce a $9.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide high-speed internet access for New Mexicans in rural northern Dona Ana County from Radium Springs to Salem. This funding from USDA’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program has invested $1.67 billion to create or improve high-speed internet access for rural customers across 31 states and territories. Last year, Luján introduced legislation to streamline and bolster USDA’s Rural Development broadband programs and ensure that their funding is being targeted to rural areas that need it the most.

“I’ve said it before and I‘ll say it again– New Mexicans know the difference between fast internet, slow internet, and no internet. From connecting to loved ones, classmates, or even their doctor, a reliable internet connection is a necessity,” said Senator Luján. “That’s why I’m proud to have secured this investment of $9.2 million to provide high-speed internet for thousands of New Mexicans, businesses, farms, and educational facilities right here in Doña Ana County. I’m glad this federal investment is going to bring us one step closer to our goal of 100% connectivity and I look forward to working together to continue connecting more New Mexicans throughout our state.”

“We are thankful to the USDA for the award of the Reconnect 4 grant and are excited to be working with Ethos Broadband on this effort,” said District 5 Commissioner Manuel Sanchez. “As Doña Ana County works to improve infrastructure across the county, the expansion of broadband has been an effort we have worked on for several years. The importance of broadband and the lack of availability was on full display during the pandemic. I look forward to what this can bring to some of the most rural areas of the County including in the areas of healthcare, education, and employment.”

“Ethos is honored to work with Doña Ana County and USDA to expand broadband connectivity across Northern Doña Ana County,” said Neo Nicolaou, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Sacred Wind and Commnet Broadband. “Our mission is to connect underserved communities with high-speed broadband to improve public safety, economic development, and quality of life.  Broadband is the enabler that levels the playing field for those that live in rural communities across America.”

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