Courtesy/USDA

USDA News:

ALBUQUERQUE — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) New Mexico State Director Patricia Dominguez and Arizona State Director Charlene Fernandez jointly celebrated Tuesday the funding of a high-speed internet system to the Navajo Nation.

The celebration is in conjunction with last week’s announcement made by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack that USDA is investing $5.2 billion to build and improve critical infrastructure throughout the country. The investments will help expand access to clean water and reliable electricity in people’s homes and businesses, as well as expanding broadband service in rural communities.

Dominguez said, “High-speed internet is the new electricity. It must be reliable, affordable and available to everyone. This project will allow those living on the Navajo Nation to have better connectivity for generations to come.”

Fernandez said, “This investment is critical to both Arizona and New Mexico as we work together to bring broadband services to the most remote areas of our states. We will continue to work together to make sure that rural areas receive those services that are vital for their communities to thrive.”

Through the use of Community Connect Grant broadband funds administered by USDA the project will receive $1,801,556 to upgrade and expand its broadband system on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico.

The hub for the system will be located at Teec Nos Pos in nortrheast Arizona. However the expansion of internet services also will cover northwest New Mexico.

Once the system is completed in about two years, the quality of life for the people of Teec Nos Pos will greatly improve. For over six years, the people of Teec Nos Pos have tried to get internet service to their community with without success  This fiber and fixed-wireless network will provide the needed internet service there and to many others throughout the people of the Navajo Nation.