W and M reports fiber-to-home progress in Grant County, plans for mixed fiber and fixed‑wireless builds

Wayne Baxter, chief operating officer for W and M, told the Grant County Commission on July 10 that the company has completed 267 fiber-to-the-home locations in the county since February 2024 and plans additional builds that will use a mix of fiber and fixed wireless to reach more residents.

Baxter said completed fiber-to-the-home locations include Mesa Road in Cliff (26 homes), Casas Adobes (118) and a subdivision identified as Fly-in (93), with Riverside recently completed for 30 locations. Projects in progress include builds in Gila and Turkey Creek Road (about 33 and 144 locations, respectively) and other subdivisions. He estimated total fiber-to-the-home locations tied to county projects would reach about 392 by the end of the first quarter of the coming year and about 660 locations since 2024 when including adjacent builds, representing about $14 million in capital investment.

Baxter emphasized that not all homes can be served cost-effectively with buried fiber. “We're going to have to get to those wirelessly,” he said, describing a hybrid approach in remote or environmentally constrained areas. He also noted some community objections to proposed towers — specifically a plan at Gila Hot Springs that was canceled after residents raised concerns — and committed to holding community meetings when new designs are ready. The company expects some projects to rely on pole-attachment agreements with local electric cooperatives and on USDA ReConnect program deliverables; one Fierro-area project could be turned on after completion of a related ReConnect project.

Commissioners asked whether the builds include voice service (Baxter said legacy copper lines continue to support phone service in many locations) and whether the company provides backhaul for cellular carriers (Baxter said W and M does backhaul for major carriers). Commissioner Stevens and others asked for community meetings when specific tower plans are finalized. County staff thanked W and M for emergency support during the recent fire, including maintaining an emergency hotline and updates for residents.

Baxter said the company serves a 15,000-square-mile service area and noted simultaneous projects in neighboring counties, including a Sunshine Rockhound State Park area build and EDA-funded projects in Catron County. He committed to periodic updates to the county manager and the commission as projects proceed. No county funding actions or regulatory approvals were required or taken at the meeting.