<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><br></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><b><span style="font-size: 29pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "><img width="235" height="76" id="_x0000_i1025" apple-width="yes" apple-height="yes" src="cid:A8A033C4-AEF3-4394-BF93-C33AADFA1D06"></span></b><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><b><span style="font-size: 29pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span></b><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">Mayor, Councilors, Chamber Launch Installation of Open-Access Broadband Infrastructure</span></b><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><b><span style="font-size: 29pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span></b><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">Public-Private partnership will open up competition, boost business and private internet speed and affordability</span></i><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><b><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span></b><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">April 15, 2015</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">For Immediate Release</span></b><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">Contact: Matt Ross, PIO; (505) 955-6045, <a href="mailto:mross@santafenm.gov" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 237); ">mross@santafenm.gov</span></a></span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span></b><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">Santa Fe, NM – </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">At a short groundbreaking ceremony this morning, Mayor Javier M. Gonzales, joined by Councilors Peter Ives, Signe Lindell, and Joseph Maestas, as well as Simon Brackley, the President of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, launched the installation of open-access broadband internet infrastructure in Santa Fe.</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">This is the culmination of a multi-year project to connect Santa Fe’s internet market to faster speeds with a broader range of options. The project is anticipated to lower wholesale costs, creating competition among retail providers that will lower costs and increase speed to parity with regional cities including Albuquerque.</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">For details on the program, including the local company that is managing the project, and the expected benefits, please see the attached memorandum from Special Projects Administrator Sean Moody.</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="color: black; "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">The statements below are taken directly from remarks at the press conference:</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">“When we talk about growing an economy that works for all Santa Fe, an economy that works in the 21<sup>st</sup> century, you have to have infrastructure that is competitive with any place in the world. This project is about making sure that our people have access to infrastructure that will truly unleash the potential of our entrepreneurs.”</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">Mayor Javier M. Gonzales</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">“Santa Fe is a city that always puts equality at the forefront, and today we’re striking a blow for the ability of our businesses to be on equal footing with businesses around the world. To our educational institutions and our businesses as well as our residents, this will be a big boost.”</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">Mayor Pro Tem Peter Ives</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">“The Business and Quality of Life Committee is looking at the whole picture for Economic Development, that includes prioritizing infrastructure necessary to enable industries that create good jobs. This was a priority for the business community and its critical to our future growth. This is a key first step.”</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">Councilor Signe Lindell</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">“It’s not every day that city government can leverage $1 million that translates into job creation and lower broadband prices, so the potential here is tremendous. It’s going to open so many doors and create so many opportunities for our community.”</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">Councilor Joseph Maestas</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">“This is an exciting day for Santa Fe businesses. Today is the result of two years of conversations and a true public-private partnership to improve the business environment in Santa Fe. This collaboration is going to help startup businesses, it’s going to help existing businesses, it’s going to help people who work from home, it’s going to improve Santa Fe’s connection to the rest of the world. And Cyber Mesa as the provider here is a local company that has done a tremendous job of negotiating the regulations and making this happen today.”</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">President Simon Brackley, Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce</span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "> </span><span style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; ">###</span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "><img id="4f35b26e-d262-499b-8f7f-6cbe0e0f910b" height="452" width="641" apple-width="yes" apple-height="yes" src="cid:CCE317FF-A1EE-49DE-A9A0-197C5BBEA2DF@Home"></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "><img id="272c1b28-ed7e-4c6f-bc09-d5185c16a22a" height="640" width="427" apple-width="yes" apple-height="yes" src="cid:14E0D10B-56CE-4779-AF20-8F7EE48F358D@Home"></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: black; "><br></span></div><div>
<div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-size: medium; "><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><div>---------------------------------------------------------</div><div>Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director</div><div>1st-Mile Institute <a href="http://www.1st-mile.org">www.1st-mile.org</a> </div><div>P. O. Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504</div><div>505-603-5200 <a href="mailto:rl@1st-mile.org">rl@1st-mile.org</a></div><div>---------------------------------------------------------</div></div><div><br></div></div></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">
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