Pilot broadband grant

The Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service awarded Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc., a Project Grant of $23,109,460 on January 8, 2026, under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program (CFDA 10.855).

The grant funds broadband infrastructure deployment to expand distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. Performance occurs at Artesia, New Mexico 88210, with a period of performance through January 8, 2028. Penasco Valley Telecommunications Cooperative, a not-for-profit telecommunications cooperative based in Artesia, is the recipient. The cooperative has received multiple prior USDA broadband and rural telecommunications awards, including a $13.8 million ReConnect grant and a $2.7 million Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant, both awarded in March 2023.

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program encourages use of telemedicine, telecommunications, computer networks, and advanced technologies to provide educational and medical benefits through distance learning and telemedicine projects serving rural populations. Grant recipients must be legally organized entities with capacity to contract with RUS, not delinquent on Federal debt, and must ensure that the benefit of assistance is passed through to rural community facilities or rural residents. The program operates on an annual competitive basis under NOFA/NOSA funding windows, with a standard three-year project period.