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# New Mexico Broadband Office Approves $6.7M in Public Wi-Fi Grants
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/new-mexico-broadband-office-approves-6-7m-in-public-wi-fi-grants/
- Published: 2026-02-18T00:38:20.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-17T21:54:47.000Z
- Description: Six grants will expand and implement Wi-Fi in public plazas, parks and municipal buildings.
- Author: Kelcie Lee
- Tags: New Mexico, Connect New Mexico, OBAE, Wi-Fi gap, Community Connect Grant Program, Neala Krueger, Andrew Wilder, #with-siderail

Feb. 17, 2026 – The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) announced six grants, totaling $6.7 million, to [implement or expand public Wi-Fi service](https://connect.nm.gov/uploads/1/4/1/9/141989814/press%5Frelease%5F02.11.2026%5Fstate%5Fawards%5Fgrants%5Ffor%5Fpublic%5Fwi-fi%5Faccess.pdf?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) across the state.

OBAE’s Community Connect Grant Program awarded two cities, two counties, a university and an internet service provider in New Mexico on Feb. 11\. The largest grant of approximately $2.2 million went to Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell.

These grants will expand Wi-Fi in public plazas, parks and municipal buildings, ultimately taking one step closer toward the state’s goal of closing the digital divide and serving areas with poor connectivity.

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“Public Wi-Fi is essential for providing accessibility and convenience in communities across New Mexico,” said **Neala Krueger**, OBAE state grants senior program manager.

“It provides communications in emergencies, helps travelers and remote workers, and enables New Mexicans to access the internet in public locations. This Wi-Fi access will help close the state’s digital divide.”

OBAE’s Community Connect Grant Program funding comes from a $70 million fund established in 2021 through the Connect New Mexico Act. These awards come from OBAE’s budgeted $7.19 million for public Wi-Fi. 

“These Wi-Fi projects will complement the enormous fiscal investment the state haa made in building broadband infrastructure to homes, businesses and farms,” said

**Andrew Wilder**, OBAE’s policy and programs bureau chief.

These grants come amid recent news that [New Mexico’s federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program was approved](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/arielle-roth-announces-bead-approvals-for-6-states-and-2-territories/), leading the state into connectivity expansion. 

New Mexico also continues to work toward closing the digital divide through its recently passed [Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/new-mexico-senate-bill-would-fund-10m-broadband-subsidy/), which will provide a $10 million broadband subsidy for New Mexico households.