STATE News:
LOS LUNAS — State leaders gathered in Los Lunas Monday to celebrate six broadband projects that will connect more than 4,000 homes, businesses and other locations in Valencia and Socorro counties.
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE), Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, Sen. Angel Charley, Resound Networks, and state and local officials marked the milestone at Valencia High School after OBAE awarded Resound Networks $12.8 million through six state grants. Those broadband projects will connect 4,093 homes, businesses, farms and community anchor institutions.
“Today is proof that the state is committed to delivering vital broadband to rural homes and businesses,” said Neala Krueger, OBAE state grants senior program manager. “It’s imperative that all New Mexicans have online access to education, telehealth, economic opportunity and critical services.”
“The partnership with OBAE and the state of New Mexico made these six projects possible,” said Tyson Curtis, Resound Networks CEO. “We’re delivering connectivity where it’s needed most — in classrooms, on farms, and in homes across Valencia and Socorro Counties. This collaboration is how we ensure no community gets left behind.”
Three of the celebrated Resound Networks projects were the result of grants totaling more than $7.4 million through the Connect New Mexico Fund. These broadband infrastructure projects will provide high-speed internet to more than 3,100 locations using fiber and fixed wireless service.
Connect New Mexico Fund grant projects:
Project Grant Locations
| Valencia County Borderlands-fiber | $2.6 million | 338 |
| Casa Colorado-fiber | $2.4 million | 361 |
| Valencia County-fixed wireless | $2.4 million | 2,420 |
The other three projects are specifically targeting 975 rural student households and staff in Belen Consolidated Schools, Los Lunas Schools and Socorro Public Schools. OBAE awarded Resound Networks more than $5 million in Student Connect grants to provide fixed wireless service to student households in these districts.
Student Connect program projects:
Project Grant Student Households
| Belen Consolidated Schools | $2 million | 243 |
| Los Lunas Public Schools | $1.5 million | 316 |
| Socorro Public Schools | $1.7 million | 416 |
While rural schools have broadband, there is often no high-speed connection for students and others once they return home. Student Connect funds are targeting that problem by establishing fixed wireless broadband.
“Student Connect projects are changing lives,” said Katherine Irvin, OBAE senior project manager. “By finally getting broadband, students can do homework online, receive and share information, and have access to resources to help them succeed in school and in life.”
Today’s ceremony included remarks from Lt. Gov. Howie Morales; Public Education Department Chief Information Officer William Wanker; Sen. Angel Charley; Jeff Lopez, OBAE director; Tyson Curtis, Resound Networks CEO; Susan D. Chavez, Los Lunas Schools superintendent; and Jennifer Otero, Valencia High School principal.
Last week OBAE and Resound Networks celebrated connections of four broadband infrastructure projects in Doña Ana, Luna and Sierra counties. Two Student Connect and two Connect New Mexico Fund projects involving $6.8 million in state grants will provide broadband to 2,860 locations.
OBAE has approved 13 Student Connect grants, totaling $23 million. All Student Connect projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.
The Connect New Mexico Fund was established by the Legislature in 2021 through the Connect New Mexico Act and transferred to OBAE in 2023.