The Biden-Harris administration announced Friday that the U.S. Treasury Department’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF) has approved $10 million in funding for multi-purpose facilities in tribal communities as part of President Biden’s Invest in America agenda. The announcement was made at the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Friday’s announcement will provide funding for the New Mexico Tribal Libraries Broadband Ready Facility Improvement Program, which will build a new child care center and improve and expand six libraries and family resource centers within tribal communities to help ensure Native Americans receive educational programs, health and vocational services, and social support in the community.
Don’t miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting delivered straight to your inbox every weekday morning.
When these projects are completed, all facilities will provide broadband Internet and computers to directly enable jobs, education and health monitoring within their communities, currently among the least serviced by broadband access in the state. New Mexico estimates these facilities will serve thousands of tribal community members each year from seven pueblos, tribes and Indian tribes across the state.
“Giving workers and families access to job training, education and health care is key to expanding economic opportunity,” said U.S. Treasury Undersecretary Wally Adeyemo. “These resources provided by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will provide New Mexico with Providing more access to high-speed internet to some of the state’s most poorly connected tribal communities helps Indian Counties thrive.”
“I am extremely proud that, with the American Rescue Plan, President Biden signed into law the largest single investment in Indian lands in our history,” said Gene Sperling, senior advisor to President Biden and White House coordinator of the American Rescue Plan. “American Rescue Plan Funds Deployed by Governor Lujan Grisham Upgrading and modernizing libraries and child care centers in Pueblo communities is a great way to use these funds to ensure their children emerge from this pandemic with a brighter and stronger future. I am honored to join Governor Lujan Grisham, the leaders of these Pueblos, and the Albuquerque community to see firsthand how they are creating from the bottom up, and from the middle out, as President Biden believes Economic and educational opportunities. “
“Investments in broadband and other critical infrastructure are critical to the overall health and well-being of tribal communities,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “The funding announced today will improve access to Access to education, workforce development tools, career counseling, telehealth and other services that create opportunity and improve lives. I thank the Biden Administration for its commitment to assisting New Mexico’s tribes.”
“The Sandia Pueblo Tribal Council recognizes that research shows that the shape of buildings, particularly school buildings, can have an impact on brain development. Many of today’s schools were built 50-60 years ago. These buildings were not It was not designed for change and was very static and linear in design,” said Sandia Pueblo Governor Felix Chaves. “Educators in the 21st century are developing new and innovative teaching methods but are hampered by outdated spaces that do not provide the best learning experience for students. The Blossom Circular program did not choose traditional linear options for the new CDC The design instead aims to inspire children’s creativity so that they can think about their world in new ways and are no longer bound by linear thinking patterns. Thinking is becoming more multi-dimensional and architectural design should reflect this.”
“Access to reliable, high-speed internet is a necessity for daily life. But right now, too many tribes in New Mexico lack access to this basic service,” said Senator Martin Heinrich. “I’m proud to welcome $10 million from our American Rescue Plan to help tribes and pueblos bridge the digital divide and ensure every family has the tools they need to thrive in their communities.”
“This important investment, made possible by the American Rescue Plan, brings us closer to 100 percent access to libraries by providing $10 million in funding to support libraries on tribal lands,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. Connectivity.” “Senator Heinrich and I have long worked to expand federal support for broadband to tribal libraries. Whether completing assignments, conducting research, or operating in the digital economy, these libraries across New Mexico are Vital hubs for communities. That’s why I’m honored to welcome this funding that will ensure seven libraries and family resource centers in tribal communities have access to reliable internet connectivity.”
“I am honored to announce $10 million for the New Mexico Tribal Library Broadband Ready Facility Improvement Program, an important step in bridging the digital divide among our state’s seven pueblos, tribes and nations,” Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) said. “By prioritizing broadband internet and computer access, we ensure Native American communities have the tools they need to access education, health services, and employment opportunities. I am committed to supporting the sovereignty and prosperity of Indian nations and ensuring they have equal access to basic resources .”
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Capital Projects Fund provides $10 billion to states, territories, freely associated states, and tribal governments to fund critical capital projects that expand economic opportunity and provide Internet connectivity to communities with unmet needs. Through high-speed internet, mixed-use community facilities and the digital technology investments announced today, CPF funding not only bridges the digital divide but also brings workforce, education and healthcare services to communities in need.
Friday’s announcement builds on $117 million in Provident Fund funding announced in 2022 for New Mexico’s broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect more than 40,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. To date, the Treasury Department has provided more than $9.2 billion in Provident Fund funding for broadband, digital technology and mixed-use community center projects in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that will reach more than 2 million locations with improved Internet access. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people will be served by multi-purpose community facilities and digital technology projects each year. An additional $78 million in provident fund awards has been distributed to 440 tribal governments.
This Provident Fund funding is an example of how the Biden-Harris administration has made strengthening the self-determination and economic vitality of tribal nations and indigenous peoples a key priority, including through implementation of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP). ARP provides more than $30 billion to tribal governments, including $20 billion from the State and Local Financial Recovery Fund (SLFRF) program, the largest infusion of federal funding to Indian lands in U.S. history. This week, during virtual remarks at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s (NCAIED) 2024 Reservation Economic Summit (RES), Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen announced that under the National Small Business Credit Program (SSBCI) provides new small business financing to tribes), reauthorized and expanded by ARP. To date, the Treasury Department has approved $265 million in SSBCI funding for 80 tribes.
About the Author: “Native News Online is one of the most read publications covering Indian Country and news critical to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other First Nations. Contact us at editor@nativenewsonline.net connect.”
Contact information: news@nativenewsonline.net