VIDEO: Rep. Stansbury, Under Secretary Torres Small Celebrate $57 Million in Broadband Funding Headed to Rural and Tribal Communities in New Mexico
New Mexico recently received over $57 million in broadband investments from the ReConnect program, in addition to $34 million in grant funding from USDA Rural Development.
VIDEO LINK:Accessible video can be found here. A fact sheet on broadband investments can be found here.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) joined Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development (USDA-RD) Xochitl Torres Small, New Mexico State Infrastructure Advisor Martin Chávez, Village of Los Ranchos Mayor Don Lopez, and Pueblo of Santa Ana Governor Joseph Sanchez for a press conference to celebrate over $57.6 million in federal funding to connect homes across New Mexico to broadband. The officials also highlighted the extensive USDA-RD water management funding available to rural and Tribal communities across the state.
Following the press conference, Rep. Stansbury and Under Secretary Torres Small met with local leaders to discuss the federal resources available to rural and Tribal communities, and to learn more about how the federal government is supporting the grant, funding, and development needs of communities across New Mexico.
“We are proud to welcome home New Mexico’s own Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small and to celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s delivery of vital broadband and other infrastructure dollars to rural and Tribal communities in New Mexico,” said Rep. Stansbury. “Access to high-speed internet, resilient infrastructure, and the tools to manage our water sustainably are critical to the economic development of our communities, supporting thriving small businesses, farmers, and ranchers, and ensuring our kids have every opportunity to realize their potential. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering resources to our communities to do just that.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration understands that rural America cannot reach its full potential unless we invest in rural infrastructure and these investments put us on that track. Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Members of Congress like Congresswoman Stansbury, USDA can help build opportunity and prosperity for the people who call rural America home,” said Under Secretary Torres Small.
“The bare minimum on the return on investment in our infrastructure is three to one—oftentimes more than that,” said Infrastructure Advisor Chávez. “When you invest money in infrastructure comes back at you in jobs, in dollars, and in opportunity for young New Mexicans.”
“As a former State Engineer of New Mexico, I know on a personal level that water is fundamental to our economy and our ways of life in Los Ranchos,” said Mayor Don Lopez. “We need to deploy federal resources and funding to best manage our water so we can continue to thrive for generations to come.”
“Broadband in Indian Country is essential for growing our economy, caring for our elders, community and growing our businesses and educating the future leaders of my Pueblo and other Tribes,” said Governor Sanchez. “Broadband is the key. Because without that, we can't be as successful as we need to be. We're not on the same playing field as everyone else.”
The $57 million in broadband funding comes as part of $34 million in funding distributed by USDA Rural Development that has supported rural economic development, key government services, and critical infrastructure in every corner of New Mexico’s First Congressional District.
Last year, Rep. Stansbury voted to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is bringing critical funding to the ReConnect program and is expected to invest more than $3.7 billion in New Mexico’s broadband, water, roads, bridges, public transportation, electric vehicle, airport, and other infrastructure. The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act, which Rep Stansbury helped to pass during the July and August work period will bring additional funding to New Mexico for energy, water and economic infrastructure to grow New Mexico’s economy.