Our state and region are painfully aware that rural communities face capacity issues in accessing both state and federal funding. With historic amounts of funding becoming available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Senator Leo Jaramillo, Representative Susan Herrera, Representative Ambrose Castellano, and Representative Roger Montoya made it possible for NCNMEDD to provide grant writing and grant research support for entities in our region. Thank you Senator and Representatives!!

Assistance can be requested to develop and write grant applications and proposals, including project scopes of work and budgets. Technical scopes of work that require engineering expertise can also be supported. 

NCNMEDD will accept requests for assistance from local governments, tribal governments, or other public entities in the NCNMEDD region. Non-profit requests must be made by a government or public entity. Priority will be given to applications related to BIL funding, high-impact projects, and communities that lack capacity. We will aim to provide assistance broadly throughout the region, so that all communities benefit. Requests for assistance should be made a minimum of 8 weeks prior to the grant deadline. To request assistance for an upcoming grant opportunity, read this guidance, fill in the request letter at the end, email it to Felicity Fonseca, NCNMEDD Community Development Planner. Please call Felicity with questions at 505-356-9098. 

• SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofits with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.
• Lodging Expense Reimbursement Residents in Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel and Valencia Counties may be eligible for emergency lodging reimbursement from FEMA. You must apply for disaster assistance before FEMA can offer reimbursement.
• FEMA Individual Assistance For those impacted by the fires, apply for assistance.  
• FEMA Fire Resource Hotline 1-800-432-2080
• New Mexico Wildfires: How to Start the Disaster Recovery Process hosted by New Mexico District Office | The U.S. Small Business Administration | SBA.gov, ongoing on Thursdays 11 am-12 pm.
• Firewise USA helps communities of 2,500 or less identify and reduce risks of wildfire. Learn more about how to start a Firewise Program to protect your family's safety, your home, and your neighborhood. 
• USDA Disaster Assistance to New Mexico Farmers and Livestock Producers Impacted by Wildfires and Drought
• NM Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management: Debris Removal Program, Sandbags, and more
• FEMA
• SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Fact Sheet for Businesses of All Sizes
• New Mexico State Fire Info - Homeland Security
• FEMA Frequently Asked Questions about New Mexico Wildfire Assistance

North Central New Mexico Economic Development District runs a VISTA program serving our 8 county region. What is VISTA and what can a VISTA member add to your organization? Find out by reviewing the presentation Introduction to Being a VISTA Subsite.

AmeriCorps VISTA supports efforts to address poverty by providing opportunities for Americans, 18 years of age and older, from a diverse range of backgrounds, to dedicate a year of full-time service with a sponsoring organization (“sponsor”) on a project that will create or expand programs designed to empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty.

Examples of VISTA projects in our region are: developing and implementing broadband plans in the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County to increase access to high speed internet for low-income residents; breaking the cycle of poverty by improving educational programs for youth in Mora County; and creating a toolkit for employers and small businesses to expand employment in rural San Miguel County.

NCNMEDD is recruiting for 7 new VISTA subsites in our region. Read the guidelines for VISTA letters of intent for new subsites. 

To apply to be a subsite in our region, submit your letter of intent to Felicity Fonseca by 

5 pm on Friday August 12. Call Felicity with questions 505-356-9098.  

RDC Tribal Economic Diversity Fund, Deadline August 15.

Up to $8,000 for technical services and equipment, for businesses owned by a tribe or enrolled member of a tribe. Restricted to certain Pueblos and geographies.  

LGBTQ+ Microgrants

$5,000 microgrants will be awarded to 10 LGBTQ+ small business owners over the next 12 months. Each awardee will also receive free Block Advisors 2023 tax prep services and have its business profile amplified on H&R Block and Block Advisors content and social platforms.

New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program 

Provides New Mexico small businesses access to the unique expertise and capabilities of Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories. Requests are accepted year round.

Agricultural Workforce Development Program

New Mexico-based agricultural businesses may apply for internship funding through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Agricultural Workforce Development (AWD) Program. Funds will be available until fully expended and on a first-come, first-serve basis for use after July 1, 2022, and no later than May 31, 2023.

For the most up to date information on funding, sign up for New Mexico Economic Development Department Weekly Resource Wrap Up and the Congressional Delegation Grant Advisory.  

NM Environment Department Construction Programs Bureau

They administer the following grant and loan programs:

·   Capital Outlay Special Appropriations Program

·   Clean Water State Revolving Fund

·   Rural Infrastructure Loan Program

They also provide technical assistance to communities throughout the lifetime of projects using this funding.

OESE Full Service Community Schools Program, Letter of Intent Due August 12, Application Due September 12.  

For the planning, implementation, and operation of full service community schools that improve the coordination, integration, accessibility, and effectiveness of services for children and families, particularly for children attending high poverty schools, including high-poverty rural schools.

USDA Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge, Deadline August 15, 2022.

To support technical assistance to rural communities for planning and training to foster placemaking and to support planning projects that enhance capacity for broadband infrastructure, deployment and/or access. 

Clean School Bus Rebates, Deadline August 19.

EPA is offering $500 million in rebates for zero- and low-emission school bus replacements.

USDA NRCS Composting and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Projects, Deadline September 1.  To develop and test strategies for planning/implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans in rural, urban, or suburban communities.

HRSA Service Area Competition, Deadline September 12.  

To ensure continued access to comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary health care services for communities and populations currently served by the Health Center Program.

DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All Discretionary Grant Program, Deadline September 15. Action Plan and Implementation grants available.  To support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micro mobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.

DOT Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund, Deadline September 15.  

For strategies, activities, and projects on a public road that are consistent with a transportation safety plan and that (i) correct or improve a hazardous road location or feature, or (ii) address a highway safety problem. 

NTIA Middle Mile Grant Program, Deadline September 30.  

For the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure; to expand and extend middle mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting areas that are unserved or underserved to the internet backbone.

Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program, Deadline October 13.  

For projects that reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.

USDA NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Education and Workforce Development Program, Deadline October 27, 2022

Invites applications in seven areas: agricultural workforce training; professional development for agricultural literacy; training of undergraduate students in research and extension; fellowships for pre and post doctoral candidates; food and agricultural non-formal education; and evaluation of NIFA’s agricultural literacy and workforce development portfolio. 

Water & Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias

in New Mexico, Applications accepted year-round through local USDA RD office.  

To provide low-income communities access to safe, reliable drinking water and waste disposal facilities and services.

Work with NCNMEDD! See our

Contract and Employment Opportunities!