Stuff you need to know, 11.16.22

“Ethos Broadband Awarded State Grant to Expand Fiber Optic Broadband in Sierra County“
News release, Sacred Wind Communications
November 15, 2022

Sierra County Set to Be One of the Most Wired Rural Counties in New Mexico

Elephant Butte, NM – At a kickoff event at its headquarters in Elephant Butte, NM, Ethos Broadband—a division of Sacred Wind Enterprises—and the State of New Mexico Office of Broadband Access & Expansion (OBAE) announced the award of a state broadband grant to Ethos for a fiber-to-the-premise expansion in Sierra County. The grant—part of the Connect New Mexico Pilot Program, which is the state’s most ambitious broadband expansion effort in history—totals $14.5 million and includes $8.4 million awarded by the State and $3.6 million contributed by Ethos, as well as an additional $2.3 million of in-kind equipment and services provided by Ethos. Through the grant, Ethos will be providing fiber to the home to 2,955 households in Sierra County.

Ethos secured grant funding following an application review and evaluation based on broadband impact, community support, economic efficiency, project readiness, organizational qualifications, marketing and services strategy, technology adoption assistance programs and project sustainability.

“Our goal has always been to provide increased connectivity for those living in rural areas, and we’re honored to receive this grant to complete this important project for the residents of southern New Mexico,” said Paul Tooley, Outside Plant Supervisor of Ethos Broadband. “We know that connectivity means increased learning and career opportunities, access to emergency services, and less isolation, and we look forward to continuing to connect Sierra County to greater opportunities and brighter futures.”

“The first wave of Connect New Mexico Pilot Program grants will expand broadband infrastructure to bring resources to communities that need it most, laying a foundation for continued economic growth,” said Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Director Kelly Schlegel. ”Access to high-speed, reliable internet is essential for households and businesses across our state, and under the governor’s leadership, we are creating a roadmap for our state to build 21st-Century communities. Throughout this historic, multi-year build, the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion is committed to ensuring this program benefits those that need it most – boosting education, jobs, and economic opportunity for all of New Mexico in the process.”

This grant project follows on the back of a USDA broadband grant awarded to Ethos in 2020 to deploy a fiber system to over 1,500 unserved homes in the more rural areas of Sierra County. The USDA’s ReConnect grant program, covering $6.1 million, was partially matched by the State’s contribution of $2.2 million, and the installation of fiber cable and completion of Ethos’s Data Center are currently underway.      

About Ethos Broadband: Ethos Broadband is a division of SWC Telesolutions, Inc. a New Mexico owned and operated company. With the goal of connecting rural residents throughout New Mexico to high-speed broadband internet, starting with Sierra County, Ethos Broadband offers cutting-edge technology, residential internet with speeds up to 1 Gbps, and additional business internet and services for Sierra County. For more information, visit ethosbroadband.com.

About Sacred Wind Enterprises: Sacred Wind Enterprises, an affiliate of Commnet Broadband and ATN International, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNI), is a leading provider of broadband services for rural and tribal communities throughout the western and southwestern United States. The company was the first to provide fiber to the home on Navajo lands. Learn more at www.sacredwindcommunications.com