NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — A total of 18 organizations have submitted 66 applications for $675 million in grants through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) of New Mexico, according to the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE). Those entities include 10 internet providers , five co-ops, and three Tribal communities. Youth leaders in northern New Mexico work to issue grants to community organizations Applications were aimed towards 144 unserved areas in 31 New Mexico counties. BEAD funding expects to provide high-speed broadband to over 31,000 homes, businesses, farms, and other places in New Mexico. The requested amount from this round of applications is over $719 million. OBAE will award grants out of the $675 million provided by the federal government. “We are very excited by the number of applications and qualified candidates for this massivebroadband infrastructure program,” said Acting Director of OBAE Drew Lovelace in a press release. “This monumental program will help close the digital divide in our state, providing high-speed connectivity for broadband-dry households and communities. These projects will change lives.” By the end of July, OBAE will recommend grand awards to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Construction, which must be completed in four years, begins upon government approval of those projects. The 18 organizations applied for 53 full-fiber projects, 12 fixed wireless projects, and one low-earth orbit satellite project. The 66 applications included a total of $719,075,257 in funding requested, $258,179,539 matching funds proposed, and $976,167,932 in proposed budgeting. Local governments, Tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers, cooperatives, andothers were eligible to apply for funding. Applicants were required to submit prequalification applications to apply for funding. The results helped OBAE determine if they had the technical capability and financial stability to deploy broadband and meet federal/state requirements. New Mexico was one of the first states to accept BEAD applications. ...read more read less