TAOS, NM – Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) announced a strategic partnership with integrator Pulse Broadband to build a fiber-to-the-home network in northern New Mexico. Preliminary work has already started on the nearly 3,000-mile network, which will provide voice, video and Internet services to the 29,000 homes and businesses in Taos, Colfax and Rio Arriba Counties served by the cooperative.
Pulse Broadband will act as project manager and project engineer, while WESCO will be responsible for materials management and procurement, and Atlantic Engineering and TCS Communications will perform construction and deployment services, pending negotiations.
“This is an exciting time for our community,” says Luis Reyes, CEO of Kit Carson. “This new network will transform our area, and the contractors we have selected will allow us to maximize the use of local workers and subcontractors. We are not only adding the skills of experienced network designers and builders like Pulse Broadband, but we are showing a commitment to bring local jobs, education and training into our communities. These benefits will last for many years to come. We estimate between 200 and 300 good-paying jobs will be created during the construction phase.”
The project is funded by a $64 million grant and loan from the Rural Utilities Service broadband stimulus program.
