Pueblo of Zia Awarded New Mexico Broadband Grant
The state awarded a $100,000 grant to expand fiber broadband infrastructure to homes and institutions.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Telecommunications
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The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion awarded a $100,000 planning grant to the Pueblo of Zia. This funding will support fiber installation for 193 homes and 12 community institutions within Sandoval County.
Why it matters
The grant supports the extension of critical fiber broadband to rural and Tribal areas in New Mexico. It provides the necessary resources to prepare for larger-scale infrastructure deployment without requiring matching funds from the community.
The grant funds 12 miles of new fiber infrastructure, with $81,000 earmarked for aerial and subsurface engineering. The remaining $19,000 is dedicated to securing future federal funding through professional grant writing services.
The players
Pueblo of Zia
This is a federally recognized tribe based in New Mexico that serves as the recipient of the broadband planning grant.
New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion
This state agency oversees telecommunications initiatives and manages the GWEP program to improve internet connectivity across the state.
The details
This project aims to connect 193 unserved residences and 12 Tribal community institutions in Sandoval County. The effort is part of a broader state initiative to bridge the digital divide in underserved rural and Tribal regions.
Timeline
The GWEP grant funding expires on June 30, 2027.
The Tech Race
The GWEP program's broadband expansion efforts provide a model for other rural states seeking to address digital inequity through targeted state-level planning grants. This grant marks the 45th award issued under the GWEP program's $5 million budget.
Residents of the Pueblo of Zia can anticipate improved access to high-speed fiber internet once the 12 miles of infrastructure are installed. The planning grant also facilitates the pursuit of additional federal funds to further lower costs for end-users.
The takeaway
Reliable high-speed connectivity is essential for modern rural and Tribal infrastructure. This planning phase serves as a vital first step in ensuring these communities gain parity with urban broadband access.
Further reading
For more information on infrastructure initiatives in the region, visit the Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Telecompetitor.
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