USDA Rural Development Grants -
Connect Your Community with the USDA Rural Development Telecommunication Programs
January 13, 2022, 10 AM MST
Join us for a webinar on loan and grant funding available High-speed broadband is vital to the prosperity of rural America. This can be accomplished in your community through loans and grants to build infrastructure and install equipment providing modern, reliable, high-speed Internet. Join this webinar to hear the latest information on accessing funding to build and expand telecommunication systems in rural communities. Ultimately, the creation of these systems will provide rural residents better access health care and education opportunities. Presented by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) staff
What: Webinar highlighting program opportunities in our telecommunications programs to include the Re-Connect, Community Connect, and Distance Learning Telemedicine (DLT) programs for rural communities.
Why: To provide the latest information on how a rural community can apply for funding to build or expand broadband telecommunication services. To Register click here.
To learn more about Rural Development’s Telecom Programs, click here.
For more information or questions about the webinar contact [email protected].
Connect Your Community with the USDA Rural Development Telecommunication Programs
January 13, 2022, 10 AM MST
Join us for a webinar on loan and grant funding available High-speed broadband is vital to the prosperity of rural America. This can be accomplished in your community through loans and grants to build infrastructure and install equipment providing modern, reliable, high-speed Internet. Join this webinar to hear the latest information on accessing funding to build and expand telecommunication systems in rural communities. Ultimately, the creation of these systems will provide rural residents better access health care and education opportunities. Presented by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) staff
What: Webinar highlighting program opportunities in our telecommunications programs to include the Re-Connect, Community Connect, and Distance Learning Telemedicine (DLT) programs for rural communities.
Why: To provide the latest information on how a rural community can apply for funding to build or expand broadband telecommunication services. To Register click here.
To learn more about Rural Development’s Telecom Programs, click here.
For more information or questions about the webinar contact [email protected].
|
Community Broadband Spotlight: Chattanooga, Tennessee
10,000 Mbps to every Home and Business? How do they do It? Mar 4, 2022 11:00 AM - 12 noon MT Virtual Hosted by CommUNITY Learning Network - All advocates and community members concerned, curious, or working on Broadband connectivity issues are invited to attend including Connect NM Council, Broadband Collective, Homework Gap Team, New Mexico DoIT, Smart and Connected Cities, Pueblo Connect, regional COGS, state agencies, counties, tribes, municipalities, coalitions, schools, libraries, community centers, neighborhood networks, and concerned citizens of all ages including students, teachers, and Seniors. REGISTER in advance for this meeting After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with info about joining the meeting. |
|
Building for Digital Equity: Demystifying Broadband Policy and Funding
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 12-2 MT (2-4pm ET)
Reserve your spot now! We are teaming up with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance for a two-hour livestream event to offer practical insights on how communities can seize this unprecedented moment to pursue community-driven broadband solutions and understand how to leverage the flood of federal funds available in the American Rescue Plan, the Consolidated Appropriation Act, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This event will bring together local stakeholders, policy advocates, and funding experts from across the country. But this isn't your average conference or webinar with 45-minute panels that make your butt go numb and your eyes glaze over. Nope. We're aiming for a fast-paced, fun, and interactive conversation between policy advocates, network buildings, local officials, and anyone else interested in learning. Key features of the event include:
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 12-2 MT (2-4pm ET)
Reserve your spot now! We are teaming up with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance for a two-hour livestream event to offer practical insights on how communities can seize this unprecedented moment to pursue community-driven broadband solutions and understand how to leverage the flood of federal funds available in the American Rescue Plan, the Consolidated Appropriation Act, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This event will bring together local stakeholders, policy advocates, and funding experts from across the country. But this isn't your average conference or webinar with 45-minute panels that make your butt go numb and your eyes glaze over. Nope. We're aiming for a fast-paced, fun, and interactive conversation between policy advocates, network buildings, local officials, and anyone else interested in learning. Key features of the event include:
- It will be emceed by our own Christopher Mitchell, director of ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative, and NDIA’s Training and Community Engagement Manager,Pamela Rosales.
- David Keyes, the Digital Equity Manager for the City of Seattle and the first recipient of NDIA’s Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion Award, will share a talk that was very popular at Net Inclusion on how to talk with government officials.
- The main event is a 50-minute block with multiple presentations on coalition building that will cover what regional governments and coalitions are doing to leverage the flood of federal funds for broadband in the American Rescue Plan, the Consolidated Appropriation Act, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- Another block will zero in on key details about the buckets of federal funds available to states and local communities, centered around the five things every local community should know about how these funds can be used most effectively.
Local Infrastructure Hub Broadband Webinar
August 16, 2022 12:00 PM MT
"The United States Conference of Mayors is hosting a series of Zoom sessions with our partners Bloomberg Philanthropies and Results for America, which will feature Biden Administration officials and policy experts to share key funding guidance and policy and innovation expertise. These sessions focus on elevating best practices to help cities create competitive outcomes-driven applications. In this session, we will begin our focus on broadband infrastructure." The "Local Infrastructure Hub" is a fairly new initiative from the Conference of Mayors, Bloomberg and Results for America.
https://usmayors.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcuGsqz0sHd3rvli9Kzbkf-KU9K20HjAF
August 16, 2022 12:00 PM MT
"The United States Conference of Mayors is hosting a series of Zoom sessions with our partners Bloomberg Philanthropies and Results for America, which will feature Biden Administration officials and policy experts to share key funding guidance and policy and innovation expertise. These sessions focus on elevating best practices to help cities create competitive outcomes-driven applications. In this session, we will begin our focus on broadband infrastructure." The "Local Infrastructure Hub" is a fairly new initiative from the Conference of Mayors, Bloomberg and Results for America.
https://usmayors.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcuGsqz0sHd3rvli9Kzbkf-KU9K20HjAF
|
Tribal Broadband Convening
Monday, September 1, 2022, 8:30 - 4 pm Location: Hotel Andaluz, Albuquerque, NM The New Mexico Tribal Broadband Convening is part of a multi-year effort to support internet for all in rural New Mexico and for tribal members in New Mexico on behalf of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion and the Connect New Mexico Council. The first took place September 12, 2022, at Hotel Andaluz, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and will focus on funding opportunities, data and mapping requirements, and building a broadband network to provide high-speed affordable internet offerings in your tribal community. This convening is reserved for tribal leaders and their designated staff only. We are hopeful to include as many IT staff and other tribal broadband teams as possible. Due to limited seating, consultants and vendors cannot be accommodated at this time. For attendees driving more than a 60-mile radius of Albuquerque, complimentary lodging was available on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at Hotel Andaluz in downtown Albuquerque. 9/12/2022 Morning Session: "Purpose: Why Are We Here?"
Kelly Schlegel Director, Office of Broadband Access and Expansion 9/12/2022 Slide Deck |
|
9/12/2022 Morning Session: "Building Sovereign Community Networks"
Christopher Mitchell, Director, Community Broadband Networks, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Email: [email protected] Website: www.ILSR.org
weekly newsletter - www.MuniNetworks.org www.TribalBroadbandBootcamp.com
9/12/2022 Slide Deck
Christopher Mitchell, Director, Community Broadband Networks, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Email: [email protected] Website: www.ILSR.org
weekly newsletter - www.MuniNetworks.org www.TribalBroadbandBootcamp.com
9/12/2022 Slide Deck
9/12/2022 Morning Sessions: "Building Your Own Network and Workforce"
Pueblo of Jemez and Pueblo of Santo Domingo
Tribal IT Roundtable Discussion
Facilitated by Gabe Montoya, NTIA, Broadband Program Specialist NTIA, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
[email protected]
Pueblo of Jemez and Pueblo of Santo Domingo
Tribal IT Roundtable Discussion
Facilitated by Gabe Montoya, NTIA, Broadband Program Specialist NTIA, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
[email protected]
9/12/2022 Afternoon Breakout Session:
Data and Mapping with FCC
Sean Spivey, Senior Counsel and Chief of Staff,, FCC Broadband Data Task Force
[email protected]
Chelsea Fallon, Senior Implementation Officer,, FCC Broadband Data Task Force
9/12/2022 Slide Deck
NMDOT RuleMaking for Broadband
Thomas Wyman, NMDOT, [email protected]
Data and Mapping with FCC
Sean Spivey, Senior Counsel and Chief of Staff,, FCC Broadband Data Task Force
[email protected]
Chelsea Fallon, Senior Implementation Officer,, FCC Broadband Data Task Force
9/12/2022 Slide Deck
NMDOT RuleMaking for Broadband
Thomas Wyman, NMDOT, [email protected]
9/12 Binder Sections:
|
Broadband FCC Map Challenge Coordination Meeting
Friday, September 23, 2022, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Location: ANM at 4001 Jefferson Plaza NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico Hosted by: NM Office of Broadband Access & Expansion
Letter From Kelly Schlegel, Director NM Office of Broadband Access and Expansion "As we continue to build our infrastructure and capacity within the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, our ability to communicate these tight deadlines will improve. Please know that we consider you valued partners, and we will work in earnest to keep you informed as active participants in these important endeavors. While we encourage in-person attendance, we understand that for some individuals this may not be possible. With this in mind, a zoom link for the September 23 meeting is included. Invitation Letter Broadband Map Challenge
First Step: Access the FCC Data Location Fabric https://help.bdc.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/5377509232283-How-Broadband-Service-Providers-Can-Access-the-Location-Fabric The Fabric license is free and Government Entities and ISPs should register to access the FCC Fabric. Tribal owned telcos should request the Tribal version of the license agreement from the FCC’s vendor CostQuest. Tribal governments with tribally-operated ISPs should register as a Tribal ISP. The FCC is available to set up a video call to assist with the process and answer any questions. To request one-on-one support please send an email to [email protected]. QuickStart Guides provide step-by-step guidance for filing based on the technology with which you provide services: |
RSVP: [email protected]
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89412231827?pwd=bFlLSCtqSVBzcHptT0JvMzVOc0RxQT09 Meeting ID: 894 1223 1827 Passcode: 418459 One tap mobile +17193594580,,89412231827#,,,,*418459# US +17207072699,,89412231827#,,,,*418459# US (Denver) Dial by your location +1 719 359 4580 US +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver) +1 253 215 8782 US Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kOHxBTRv |
Tribal Broadband Convening 2
Friday, October 21, 2022, 1-3pm
Virtual
Agenda:
1:00 pm - Welcome & Review Updated Agenda - Stephine Poston
1:05 pm - Overview - Kimball Sekaqueptewa, Connect New Mexico Council Interim Chair
1:10 pm - Tribal Digital Equity Planning process and timeline Slide Deck
Angela Bennett, NTIA Tribal Digital Equity Program
1:50 pm - State Update on Digital Equity Planning Slide Deck
Kelly Schlegel, State of New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE)
2:15 pm - NM Digital Equity Working Group Update
Eli Guinee, State Librarian and Co-Chair of Connect New Mexico Council Digital Equity Working Group
2:30 pm - Listening Session - Eli Guinee
2:55 pm - Closing announcements, feedback and next steps
Announcements
FCC Tribal Libraries E-Rate Pilot Program https://www.fcc.gov/tribal-libraries
Rural Health Care https://www.usac.org/rural-health-care/healthcare-connect-fund-program/
Contact - Tribal Liaison, L. Stephine Poston, M.A. Owner/President, Poston & Associates, LLC
(505) 379-6172 [email protected]
Friday, October 21, 2022, 1-3pm
Virtual
Agenda:
1:00 pm - Welcome & Review Updated Agenda - Stephine Poston
1:05 pm - Overview - Kimball Sekaqueptewa, Connect New Mexico Council Interim Chair
1:10 pm - Tribal Digital Equity Planning process and timeline Slide Deck
Angela Bennett, NTIA Tribal Digital Equity Program
1:50 pm - State Update on Digital Equity Planning Slide Deck
Kelly Schlegel, State of New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE)
2:15 pm - NM Digital Equity Working Group Update
Eli Guinee, State Librarian and Co-Chair of Connect New Mexico Council Digital Equity Working Group
2:30 pm - Listening Session - Eli Guinee
2:55 pm - Closing announcements, feedback and next steps
Announcements
FCC Tribal Libraries E-Rate Pilot Program https://www.fcc.gov/tribal-libraries
Rural Health Care https://www.usac.org/rural-health-care/healthcare-connect-fund-program/
Contact - Tribal Liaison, L. Stephine Poston, M.A. Owner/President, Poston & Associates, LLC
(505) 379-6172 [email protected]
|
Indigenous Connectivity Summit
October 24 to 28, 2022 The Indigenous Connectivity Institute will host the Indigenous Connectivity Summit 2022 (ICS 2022). The Indigenous Connectivity Summit brings together Indigenous community members, leaders, network operators, researchers and policymakers with a common goal: to connect Indigenous communities to fast, affordable and sustainable internet. The 2022 ICS is led by the newly-formed Indigenous Connectivity Institute, an initiative incubated by Connect Humanity, and co-organized in partnership with the Internet Society. (The first Indigenous Connectivity Summit was held in Santa Fe, NM, by the Internet Society in collaboration with CommUNITY Learning Network, NM TechWorks, and the First Mile Institute with support from RediNet, Google, ICANN, and ARRIN.) ** Only the sessions from Tuesday Oct 25 – Thurs Oct 27 will be livestreamed. **
|
|
|
Broadband Bootcamp for Counties
November 2022 Today, there is an unprecedented need for high-speed internet access. With a plethora of federal funds becoming made available for high-speed internet deployment, counties need to ensure they have a full grasp of the variety of considerations and decisions that are beneficial to ensuring they can adequately participate as partners in the deployment of high-speed broadband access. https://www.naco.org/events/broadband-bootcamp-counties
|
|
Tribal Broadband Convening 2
December. 1, 2022, 1-3pm
Virtual
Agenda:
Tribal Broadband Data and FCC Mapping Challenge
Facilitated by Natalie Runyan, NM DoIT GIS Director
and Godfrey Enjady, Chair of the Connect New Mexico Council Tribal Working Group
Contact: Tribal Liaison
L. Stephine Poston, M.A. Owner/President, Poston & Associates, LLC
(505) 379-6172 [email protected]
December. 1, 2022, 1-3pm
Virtual
Agenda:
Tribal Broadband Data and FCC Mapping Challenge
Facilitated by Natalie Runyan, NM DoIT GIS Director
and Godfrey Enjady, Chair of the Connect New Mexico Council Tribal Working Group
Contact: Tribal Liaison
L. Stephine Poston, M.A. Owner/President, Poston & Associates, LLC
(505) 379-6172 [email protected]
|
Federal Broadband Funding 101: Resources for Local Government Webinar
Hosted by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján December 7, 2022, 11am - 1pm Virtual Hosted by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján in collaboration with the National Telecommunication Information Administration, Federal Communications Commission, the National Association of Counties, and the NM Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Agenda Webinar Recording Presenters:
NTIA Internet for All presentation by Heidi Byrd and Knowledge Build Power Point |
Contact: Melanie Goodman
Field Representative, Office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (N.M.) Las Cruces, NM (575) 520-6492 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE)
NACo is collecting and sharing low-cost or free resources that local governments can take advantage of in the absence of retaining a GIS staffer at the local level. These resources can be found on their Broadband Data Collection blog here: https://www.naco.org/blog/participate-fcc-broadband-data-collection-process Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) More information on ACP can be found at: www.affordableconnectivity.gov. It is available today and provides eligible households with a monthly discount on their broadband bill (home or mobile). The discount is $30/month and goes up to $75/month for households located on Tribal Lands. |
|
Next Century Cities Building Broadband Together
December 7, 2022, 1pm - 3pm Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico Hosted by Next Century Cities in collaboration with the City of Albuquerque with support from the Hispanic Cultural Center and the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Next Century Cities works alongside communities of all sizes and political stripes to support local officials who are working to expand broadband access and increase adoption. Becoming Broadband Ready Toolkit Show Me Your Maps Report Recording: https://youtu.be/pGZ5JrFFIGo Presenters:
|
Flyer
Contact: Roxanna "Roxy" Barboza Program Director, Next Century Cities [email protected] 661-332- 6752 www.NextCenturyCities.org |
|
U.S. Senate Broadband Hearing
“Ensuring Solutions to Meet America’s Broadband Needs” Wednesday, December 13, 2022, 8AM MT U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media and Broadband, convened a subcommittee hearing titled “Ensuring Solutions to Meet America’s Broadband Needs” on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 10 a.m. ET. Millions of Americans live in rural, Tribal and low-income urban areas that do not have access to affordable broadband. Congress has provided support for fixed and mobile broadband, including through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). New federal support for broadband access, affordability and inclusion will bring us closer to closing the digital divide and achieving digital equity. This hearing will examine ongoing and past efforts within the public and private sectors to bring affordable, resilient and secure broadband to all communities. Witnesses - Testimony
|
Hearing Link: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2022/12/ensuring-solutions-to-meet-america-s-broadband-needs
Watch Live Stream: www.commerce.senate.gov Hearing Details: Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 10 a.m. ET Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253 Due to current limited access to the Capitol complex, the general public is encouraged to view this hearing via the live stream. If you are having trouble viewing this hearing, please try the following steps:
|
Pueblo Mapping Working Session 1
December 20, 2022, 9am-4pm
Location: big byte, 123 Central Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (parking is available)
The purpose of this session is to provide onsite technical assistance to the staff responsible for submitting mapping challenges to the FCC. The accuracy of the maps and documenting the need in the the Pueblos will ultimately determine future funding.
Who should attend: Pueblo GIS, IT, Housing Personnel or staff responsible for the FCC data mapping. Each participating Pueblo should bring at least one laptop as GIS personnel support will be onsite to help each Pueblo with their maps.
Agenda:
9:00 am Welcome
9:15 am Training provided by Natalie Runyan, NM GIS Officer
9:45 am Working session
Noon Working lunch provided
1:00 pm Working session
4:00 pm Close
Notes:
The Pueblo Mapping Work Session is sponsored by COOL (Cultivating Our Own to Lead) Cohort, funded through the Santa Fe Indian School with support from the LANL Foundation. For technical assistance on the FCC Data Mapping Challenge, please contact Natalie Runyan, NM GIS Officer at [email protected]. For questions about the December 20, 2022, working session, please contact Steph Poston [email protected]. If your Pueblo has completed the FCC data mapping challenge - Congratulations!
December 20, 2022, 9am-4pm
Location: big byte, 123 Central Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (parking is available)
The purpose of this session is to provide onsite technical assistance to the staff responsible for submitting mapping challenges to the FCC. The accuracy of the maps and documenting the need in the the Pueblos will ultimately determine future funding.
Who should attend: Pueblo GIS, IT, Housing Personnel or staff responsible for the FCC data mapping. Each participating Pueblo should bring at least one laptop as GIS personnel support will be onsite to help each Pueblo with their maps.
Agenda:
9:00 am Welcome
9:15 am Training provided by Natalie Runyan, NM GIS Officer
9:45 am Working session
Noon Working lunch provided
1:00 pm Working session
4:00 pm Close
Notes:
- NM GIS will have technical support personnel on site
- Each Pueblo should bring at least one laptop
- If your Pueblo is registered with CostQuest, please bring username and password
- FCC personnel will attend via zoom for technical support
- Snacks, beverages and lunch will be provided
- Participants will receive a $150 stipend
The Pueblo Mapping Work Session is sponsored by COOL (Cultivating Our Own to Lead) Cohort, funded through the Santa Fe Indian School with support from the LANL Foundation. For technical assistance on the FCC Data Mapping Challenge, please contact Natalie Runyan, NM GIS Officer at [email protected]. For questions about the December 20, 2022, working session, please contact Steph Poston [email protected]. If your Pueblo has completed the FCC data mapping challenge - Congratulations!
