Weekly Edition | March 1, 2012 | By: NP writer

Crownpoint, NM – The Federal Communication Commission denied a request to waive its three-year build rule for Navajo Technical College, the college is a non-profit, educational institution wholly owned by the Navajo Nation and located on the Indian reservation.

In 2010, Navajo Technical College  received a $405,196 grant from the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (“PTFP”) to be used toward construction costs. The college fired the original engineering consultant to the project and hired a new one in June 2011. That grant expired and they were not able to meet the deadline date, according to the FCC report.

The college pointed out that once that “PTFP” grant expires, that money is “lost forever” The commission said in its decision that it’s committed to helping tribal nations establish radio stations, but that the agency must also maintain the integrity of its rules to promote radio licensing for all tribal nations.