News

New Mexico’s Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has finished a major broadband infrastructure project in Chaves County.

By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) in New Mexico has completed their first grant funded project.

The completed project, in rural Chaves County, connected 52 rural homes in the Cherry Decker subdivision near Hagerman, the OBAE announced earlier this month.

Along with being the OBAE’s first grant project to reach 100% completion, the project also represents the first Connect New Mexico Pilot Program project funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund.

Construction included roughly 11 miles of pole-attached aerial fiber delivered to rural residences, OBAE announced.

With matching funds from the Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative (PVT), the project’s total cost was $649,000, according to the OBAE.

Penasco Valley Telephone CEO Jim Meyers said the milestone is about more than infrastructure.

“It’s about opportunity,” he said. “PVT is grateful for the support and partnership with OBAE in helping us close the digital divide and improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans.”

Andy Exell, OBAE’s ARPA program coordinator, also commented on the news.

“This project’s completion delivers on the state’s promise to connect New Mexico families in the most remote areas of the state,” Exell said. “For these dozens of homeowners to finally get high-speed internet is a life changer.”

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