Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant

The Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant was a funding initiative developed by the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) to support the state’s Digital Equity Plan. Designed to enhance digital inclusion and close the digital divide across the state, this grant aimed to empower communities and vulnerable populations by funding digital equity initiatives. The program was structured to provide monetary awards ranging from $25,000 to $500,000, with a total allocation of more than $7.3 million in grant funds. Eligible applicants included organizations located and operating in New Mexico, such as municipal, county, and regional governments; tribal governments and tribal-led entities; community-based organizations, non-profits, and foundations; institutions of higher education; and state agencies and institutions. All applicants were required to have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from the federal System of Award Management (SAM), a process which could take from one week to several months if not already registered. PINON Grant funds could be used for eligible activities such as digital skills training, digital navigator programming, device distribution, technical support, and capacity building. These activities were to focus on one or more key impact areas defined by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), including economic and workforce development, education, health, civic and social engagement, and delivery of essential services. The program specifically targeted eight vulnerable populations defined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, such as low-income households, seniors, incarcerated individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, people with language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural residents. Applicants were required to align their programs with NTIA-identified barriers—online accessibility, digital literacy, privacy and cybersecurity, and device affordability—and demonstrate measurable progress on objectives 5 through 9 of the New Mexico Digital Equity Plan. These included increasing access to computing devices and technical support, improving internet use capability, enhancing online safety skills, enabling access to essential services, and bolstering community-level digital equity infrastructure. The anticipated timeline released in the NOFO included a grant portal opening on January 27, 2025, with applications due by March 21, 2025. Awards were expected to be announced in June and July 2025, and final approval of selected projects would be contingent on submission to and acceptance by the NTIA by August 31, 2025. Awardees were expected to complete projects within one to three years of receiving funding. However, as of May 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce halted funding for this program, placing further implementation on hold. OBAE stated its commitment to transparency and indicated it would provide future updates as more information becomes available. For further information or clarification, applicants were encouraged to contact Neala Krueger, State Grants Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or by phone at 505-538-0929.