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Monthly Newsletter

April 2025

Questa Mountain

Message from the Executive Director



Welcome to spring! We at NCNMEDD are turning our focus from the Legislative Session to budget season. We are also preparing for the uncertainty of federal funding this upcoming year.


As reflected in the announcements in this newsletter, these next few months are focused on funding opportunities for the year ahead, including Congressional Directed Spending and Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plans. Please don't miss these important deadlines and feel free to reach out to our team for assistance.


Our upcoming meetings include the NCNMEDD board of directors meeting on April 24 at 1:30 pm and the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Annual Innovation Summit, May 15-16 in Bernalillo. Innovation Summit sessions will be held at the Santa Ana Resort, with activities at the Bernalillo Senior Center and Bosque Brewery. Please join us for this fun event!

 

Monica Abeita

Deadline Update: Congressionally Directed Spending Requests Due Soon!!


Non-profit entities, public institutions, and state, local, and Tribal government entities are eligible to make Congressionally Directed Spending requests. Entities apply directly through Senator Heinrich, Senator Lujan, and Representative Leger Fernandez' offices.

 

Congressionally Directed Spending can fund various types of local projects. The Senate Appropriations Committee has not released specific guidance for FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending requests. Please work with the staff from Heinrich, Lujan, and Leger Fernandez' offices.


Apply through Senator Heinrich's office: Congressionally Directed Spending Requests | Senator Martin Heinrich. No deadline yet. It is recommended to touch base with the Senator's staff as soon as possible.


Apply Through Senator Lujan's office: Congressionally Directed Spending Requests | Senator Ben Ray Luján. Deadline approximately April 14. It is recommended to contact and work with the Senator's staff.


Apply Through Representative Leger Fernandez' office: Congressionally Directed Spending Requests | Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez. No deadline yet. It is recommended to work with the Representative's staff.

ICIP Deadlines Announced:

Trainings and Office Hours Begin in April

Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plans are now under the DFA's new Infrastructure Planning and Development Division.


DFA is presenting an ICIP 101 Training on Wednesday April 16, 10:00-11:00 am.

Join the session here.

Meeting ID: 224 766 895 609

Passcode: sY384Wk3


ICIP Assistance Open Office Hours are every Tuesday from April 8-July 8 at 3:00-4:30 pm.

Join by clicking here.

Meeting ID: 217 430 105 781

Passcode: g9rb22Rx


FY 2027-2031 ICIP deadlines are:


  • Senior Citizen Facilities – Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Special Districts – Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Tribal Governments – Friday, July 11, 2025
  • Counties and Municipalities – Friday, July 11, 2025


If you have any questions about the Local Government ICIP process, contact Mary Ann Maestas at DFA or reach out to Felicity Fonseca at NCNMEDD.

CEDS Eight-County Stakeholder Meetings:

March Recap and April Schedule

Taos CEDS Meeting

In March, the NCNMEDD Community Development Department (CD) hosted three Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) meetings in Los Alamos, Mora, and Taos counties in addition to the first in San Miguel County. Each meeting saw strong in-person and online participation from local businesses, government officials, and non-profit directors.


The 2026-2030 CEDS serves as a regional economic roadmap, incorporating county-specific priorities into a unified vision, strategy, and implementation framework informed by key stakeholders.


The CD team also convened the CEDS Steering Committee for its second meeting. The Steering Committee, made up of 10-12 economic development experts from the eight-county region, plays a key role in shaping the CEDS vision and implementing strategies based on stakeholder input.


Upcoming meetings in April include:

  • Colfax County April 14, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Village of Cimarron Offices, 356 E. 9th Street, Cimarron, NM 87714. Register for Zoom Link.
  • Rio Arriba County April 22, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Rio Arriba County Offices, 1122 Industrial Park Road, Espanola, NM 87532. Register for Zoom Link.
  • Santa Fe County April 29, 9:00-11:00 am at the Santa Fe Higher Learning Education Center, 1950 Siringo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Register for Zoom Link.


For details and more information please contact either:


We thank all who are participating in your respective county’s meeting. Your input is vital to shaping the future of regional economic development.


Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging

Poised to Receive $2 Million for

Mobile Home Replacement

Pictured at right is Candie Chacon of Santa Cruz, Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging's first recipient of a mobile home replacement.


Mobile home replacement has become a common need within the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Senior Home Repair Program. “Many of our applicants who live in mobile homes cannot benefit from home repair because the home is in such poor condition,” says Sandra Sosa, Housing Coordinator. “The only option in these cases is to replace the substandard home with a code compliant manufactured home.”

The NM Mortgage Finance Authority recently awarded a grant to Non-Metro AAA specifically for mobile home replacement, but those funds are limited.


We are very fortunate that, during the 2025 Legislative Session, Representative Joseph Sanchez spearheaded an initiative to include $2 million for mobile home replacement in the state budget,

which is now on the Governor’s desk,” says Neil Segotta, Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Director. “These additional funds will allow us to assist many more households with mobile home replacement, ensuring seniors are not displaced and can age at home in safety and dignity.”


Transportation News and Funding

Highway Safety Improvement Program

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


Transportation Project Fund (TPF)

Project Feasibility Forms (PFFs) are due to the Northern Pueblos and North East Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs). Timely submission of the PFFs will ensure quality meetings with District Engineers. The final applications are due into the NMDOT TPF portal on May 31. Entities in the NCNMEDD region should contact Patrick Million for more information: patrickm@ncnmedd.com. For more information click here.


The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)

The HSIP aims to significantly reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all roads. HSIP funds can be used for safety improvement projects on public roads and bike ped infrastructure. Awards range from $50,000 to $2,000,000. For more information and contacts, please click here.


The North Central New Mexico Economic Development District is offering transportation and planning mini grants of up to $25,000. For more information and an application, please click here or contact Patrick Million at patrickm@ncnmedd.com

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The New Mexico LTAP Center Courses currently available are:


Basic Plan Reading

Practical Math for Roadway Workers

Commercial Driver’s License A & B Entry Level Driver Training.

For more information on all the above classes, visit the New Mexico Local Technical Assistance Program at UNM here.


T/LPA Certification: T/LPA Certification training will take place on May 20 and 21 at the Bernalillo County Building, 415 Silver Ave. SW, Albuquerque, in the Ponderosa Classroom on the 7th floor. The Responsible Person in Charge must be T/LPA certified for entities receiving federal money for transportation projects. Contact Danny Sandoval at Danny.Sandoval@dot.nm.gov.

NCNMEDD Transportation News +

Welcome to Transportation Intern Aidan Beining


NCNMEDD would like to welcome Aidan Beining as our new Transportation Intern. Aidan is a senior at UNM and will be graduating in May. He is in his final semester at UNM for Community and Regional Planning. He will be pursuing a career in Urban Planning/Design. You will be hearing from him and seeing him at RTPO meetings.


NCNMEDD has just completed assisting four entities with eight projects totaling approximately $10 million through the NMDOT RTP, TAP and CMAQ funding opportunities. Good luck to NCRTD, Los Alamos County, Las Vegas and The State Land Office.


NCNMEDD attended New Mexico Counties Day at the Roundhouse on March 11. It was a pleasure to see a handful of the municipalities NCNMEDD serves down here in Santa Fe. 

NM Tourism Department Spring Funding Opportunities Now Open


NM Clean and Beautiful Grant, Deadline April 4. 

The Tourism Department partners with communities to Keep New Mexico True by providing funding and technical assistance to municipalities, counties, Tribal Governments, and units of government on litter eradication, waste reduction, and community beautification initiatives. 


Destination Forward Grant, Deadline April 8.  

The purpose of the Destination Forward Grant Program is to support the development and implementation of tourism infrastructure projects throughout New Mexico.


Cooperative Marketing Grant Program Requires a pre-application survey, which is now closed. Learn more and consider applying next year. This program is aimed at growing New Mexico’s tourism economy by utilizing the strength of the New Mexico True brand. Through customized media strategies tailored to each awarded partner, the Coop program guides participants through quality marketing and advertising initiatives that align with the New Mexico True brand in order to achieve effective, optimized results. 


Tourism Event Growth and Sustainability Program, Deadline April 17.

This grant provides technical assistance, marketing and sponsorship support for qualified tourism events within New Mexico to support their growth and sustainability.

Small Business Opportunities, Events, and Trainings

Native Fashion Week


NEW MEXICO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Season runs from March 15-June 15.  


Join the exciting events, including: 

*Native Fashion Week in Santa Fe May 8-11.

*Taos County Creative Entrepreneur Exhibition and Symposium May 9-18. Learn More 


NM LEGAL WORKSHOPS | NM TALLERES LEGALES Thursday April 17, 12:00 pm

HatchForm and New Mexico Economic Development Department present this Legal Workshop Series for small and aspiring business owners.


Honeycomb Credit Breakthrough Grant, Deadline: April 11.

$10,000 small business grants. 



More Small Business Resources:


Grant and Funding Opportunities

NCNMEDD continues the grant writing and technical assistance program funded by North Central New Mexico Legislators. Read about the program here and request grant writing assistance by contacting Felicity Fonseca at 505-356-9098.


ROLLING DEADLINES:


EDA FY23 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs (PWEAA), Ongoing. To meet the full range of communities' and regions' economic needs, from planning and technical assistance to construction of infrastructure.


Land & Water Defense Fund - The Conservation Alliance will make grants of up to $50,000 that support grassroot organizations working to protect our public lands, local economies and recreation opportunities.

UPCOMING:


HHS Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance Esther Martinez Immersion, Deadline April 14, 2025.

For immersion-based language instruction.


HHS Environmental Regulatory Enhancement for Tribes, Deadline April 14, 2025.

For planning, developing, and implementing programs designed to improve the capability of tribal governing bodies to regulate environmental quality pursuant to federal and tribal environmental laws.


BOR Water SMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects for FY 25 and 26,

Deadline April 15, 2025 and rolling until 2026.

To restore and protect aquatic ecosystems.


FEMA 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance, Deadline: April 18, 2025.

To reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and within NFIP-participating communities.


Department of Homeland Security - FEMA's Public Assistance Program

Deadline: Work with FEMA to Determine.

Provides supplemental grants to communities to quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.


USDA Value Added Producer Grant, Deadline April 17, 2025.

To assist Agricultural Producers, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in starting or expanding value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of Value-Added Agricultural Products.


FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Deadline April 18, 2025.

For hazard mitigation activities.


USDA RUS Community Connect Program, Deadline April 21, 2025.

To provide broadband service at or above 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up to all premises in rural, economically challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist.


NEA Challenge America, Deadline April 24, 2025.

$10,000 grants, 1:1 match required, to extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups and communities.


NMED River Stewardship Program Request for Proposals, Deadline: May 20, 2025.

The goal of the River Stewardship Program is to fund projects that enhance the natural functioning of New Mexico’s streams and rivers by providing state funding to plan, design, and construct projects that improve surface water quality or river habitat. 


Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, Deadline April 30, 2025. Tribes eligible. To purchase local, unprocessed or minimally processed domestic foods from local producers, targeting historically underserved farmers/producers/fishers and small businesses including processors, aggregators, and distributors.


SAMHSA Tribal Behavioral Health, Deadline May 15, 2025.

To prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use/misuse, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth, up to and including age 24, by building a healthy network of systems, services, and partnerships that impact youth.


DOE Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas, Deadline August 28, 2025.

Eligible activities include: 1) Improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems; 2) Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines; 3) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas; 4) Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities; 5) Developing microgrids; and 6) Increasing energy efficiency.


HUD FY 2024 and FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Renewal or Replacement of Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants, Deadline August 29, 2025.

To quickly re-house homeless individuals, families, persons fleeing domestic violence, and youth while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness; to promote access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs by homeless; and to optimize self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness.


NIH Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities, Deadline December 9, 2026.

For small business concerns to develop a product, process or service for commercialization with the aim of improving minority health and/or reducing and ultimately eliminating health disparities in one or more populations that experience health disparities. Appropriate technologies should be effective, affordable, and culturally acceptable.



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See our Contract and Employment Opportunities.