Santo Domingo Pueblo News:
Santo Domingo Pueblo held a celebratory event this morning at the historic Santo Domingo Trading Post to celebrate its $9.22 million in award funding from the Connect New Mexico Program.
This funding, plus the $5.8 million allocated from the Santo Domingo Pueblo, will complete the connection of 870 units in the Pueblo and surrounding communities of Sile and Peña Blanca with 50 miles of fiber. The project complements a separate fiber span funded by the NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.
In sum, these projects will greatly benefit thousands of residents, businesses, and community institutions for generations ahead.
Governor Esquipula Tenorio of Santo Domingo Pueblo shared this sentiment and optimism for the future, “With every connection, every click, and every opportunity embraced, Internet access becomes the empowering force that bridges the digital divide between Santo Domingo Pueblo and the rest of the world. It illuminates the path to knowledge, amplifies our voices, ignites a flame of hope, and leads Santo Domingo Pueblo towards self-sufficiency, uniting us in a journey toward a future where dreams know no boundaries.”
Sandeep Taxali from the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) highlighted the strong application Santo Domingo Pueblo brought forward and their extensive collaborative efforts with OBAE.
“What really impressed the review team was the fact that during the pandemic, the leadership among Santo Domingo set up a wireless network—grown from the community,” Taxali said. “They came together to deploy, test, and launch the network. It was a beautiful story, showing the level of commitment, focus, and success in executing a project.”
A representative from Senator Luján’s office commented on behalf of the Senator, stating, “If there is one thing I’ve focused on as the Chair of the Communications, Media, and Broadband Subcommittee, it’s to make sure broadband reaches everyone. We can design and build the single greatest network, but that won’t accomplish much if it’s only available to a privileged few. Inclusivity is key when we discuss the future of broadband.”
A representative from Congresswoman Teresa Ledger Fernandez’s office commented on behalf of the Congresswoman, stating, “Affordable access to the internet is the key to our future. One of the first caucuses she joined after being elected was the Rural Broadband Task Force. She worked to help pass bipartisan infrastructure laws to make sure places like Santo Domingo can get affordable high-speed internet access.”