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Monthly Newsletter

February 2025

COG day 2025

Message from the Executive Director



I hope everyone is enjoying the 2025 Legislative Session. We are half-way there!


The highlight of February occurred on Monday, February 10, when the NM Association of Regional Councils (NewMARC), organized the first-ever Council of Governments Day at the Legislature. Representative Joseph Sanchez (see webcast photo, right), who also serves as a board member of NCNMEDD, read a proclamation on the floor of the House of Representatives, with COG Executive Directors Monica Abeita, Priscilla Lucero and Sandy Chancey at the rostrum.


Representative Sanchez asked north central legislators to wear a red carnation in honor of the late Representative Nick L. Salazar (1929-2020), who was the founding president of NCNMEDD and served in that role until 2017. The Speaker of the House encouraged this tradition to continue in future years, to celebrate the contributions that COGs make throughout New Mexico. Thanks to all who attended and those who tuned into the webcast. It was a great day!

 

Monica Abeita

Regional Economic Development Planning (CEDS)

San Miguel County CEDS meeting

NCNMEDD is developing the 2026-2030 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for its eight-county region. This five-year plan focuses on regional collaboration for sustainable economic growth and is key for securing funding.


The planning process, place-based and driven by regional input, assesses local strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to set goals for economic development. It serves as a valuable means to engage community leaders and experts in the field.


NCNMEDD has established a CEDS Steering Committee from the eight counties to review the plan's development. With input and guidance from the Steering Committee, NCNMEDD is coordinating County Stakeholder Meetings to be held over the next three months.


Our first meeting is in San Miguel County on February 25, 2025

at the Las Vegas City Hall, from 5:30-7:30.

If you'd like to attend in-person, please email Selma Guttierez, selmag@ncnmedd.com, or REGISTER to attend online.


Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:


Los Alamos County March 13, 2025

Mora County March 18, 2025


Questions or interested in participating? 

Please contact Felicity Fonseca, felicityf@ncnmedd.com, 505-356-9098 or Angela Bordegaray, angelab@ncnmedd.com 505-787-3356.

 

Restore and Revitalize through NMED Brownfields Program

Join us for a Q&A Session on February 19


Do you have abandoned or run-down properties in your community that are being considered for sale, purchase, or redevelopment?


If you're concerned about possible environmental hazards like asbestos or lead-based paint, the New Mexico Environment Department’s Brownfields Program can help. (At no cost!) Rebecca Cook, Savannah Richards, Amy Bell and Maren Neldam offer free services including targeted Brownfields Assessments, asbestos surveys, sampling, due diligence reviews, and clean-up planning.


Interested in learning more? We’re hosting an information session.  


WHAT: Brownfields Question and Answer Information Session

WHEN: February 19, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 am

WHERE: NCNMEDD, 644 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe NM 87505


HYBRIDTo attend via Zoom, register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uBrg_5__TtqRioUQCMaHzQ



PARKING: Street parking available on Don Gaspar


Questions? Please contact Felicity Fonseca, felicityf@ncnmedd.com, 505-356-9098

Find more information through the New Mexico Environment Department, go to: https://www.env.nm.gov/gwqb/brownfields-program/.

From the Transportation Desk

RTPO Funding Opportunities

Build America Bureau

The Rural and Tribal Assistance Program (RTAP) with the Build America Bureau of USDOT is accepting applications March 4 - April 3, 2025. Grants are $200,000 - $750,000 for single projects, and up to $2.25 million for multi-community projects.

Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program | Build America


PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program Deadline: February 24, 2025


Active Transportation and Recreational Programs | NMDOT Deadline: March 14, 2025


NCNMEDD offers transportation and planning mini grants of up to $25,000 for projects that enhance compliance, remove barriers, support project development, and facilitate the progress of an entity, such ADA transition plans; traffic, feasibility, and safety studies; NEPA assistance; outreach campaigns; and walk audits. No deadline. NCNMEDD will support projects that require technical expertise, such as engineering scoping and cost estimates. For more information: NORTHERN PUEBLOS | rtponm or contact Patrick Million, patrickm@ncnmedd.com

Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging

Legislative Update

Senior Day 2025 at the legislature was a success! We appreciate your support for these bills, to benefit our programs and older adults throughout New Mexico.

 

Aging Network Funding Increase

HB 317: Aging Network Provider Reimbursements, Sponsor: Representative Joseph Sanchez, Committees: HHHC/HAFC

SB 288: Increase Aging Network Reimbursements, Sponsor: Senator Roberto “Bobby” J. Gonzales, Committees: SHPAC/SFC

These twin bills appropriate an additional $2.5 million for the aging network, to enable Non-Metro AAA providers to expand services and add new consumers.

 

SB 320: Mobile Home Replacement Initiatives, Sponsor: Senator Roberto “Bobby” J. Gonzales, Committees: STBTC/SFC

This bill appropriates $2 million for mobile home replacement within Non-Metro AAA’s senior home repair program.

 

Welcome to New Community Planner

Selma Gutierrez

Welcome our new Community Planner!

Selma Gutierrez, born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently joined us as a Community Planner. She has always had a strong interest in public service and community development. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration from the University of New Mexico. With a background in nonprofit work, Selma has served the Santa Fe community in various capacities. She is excited to apply what she is learning in her graduate program to her new role.

LANL Launches Community Data Sprint and Releases Economic Impact Report

Northern New Mexico Community Data Sprint


Sponsored by LANL’s Information Science & Technology Institute and Community Partnerships Office, this week-long event will pair local nonprofit and social good organizations with a small team of LANL data scientists to solve data-related problems to benefit Northern New Mexico. Interested local nonprofit and social good organizations should have their own data, a related question or problem they would like to answer or solve, and at least one representative willing to participate in some planning activities as well as participating during the week of the data sprint. There is no charge for the organization to participate in the project.


Interested applicants should attend an information session and apply no later than March 7, 2025. See the flyer HERE. For more information or to register: Northern New Mexico Community Data Sprint | LANL or contact datasprint@lanl.gov.


Information sessions are on


Thursday, February 13, 10-11am MST

February 25, 1-2pm MST


Los Alamos National Laboratory released the 2024 Economic Impact on New Mexico Report.


The short two-page report details the critical role Los Alamos National Laboratory plays in the economic viability of the surrounding New Mexico communities.

 

Three key takeaways in the report are:

 

  1. Los Alamos National Lab is one of the largest employers in the state and a major economic driver in the region.
  2. LANL spent over $1 billion with New Mexico businesses and paid $138 million in New Mexico gross receipts tax.

 

While the total number of regular Laboratory employees reached 16,547 in 2024; another 1,378 are contractors. Of the 16,547 regular employees, 28.7% have at least one degree from a New Mexico college or university, and 39.2% are native New Mexicans.

 

Over 65% employees live outside of Los Alamos County.

 

Employee salaries by county:

• Los Alamos: $794 million

• Santa Fe: $504 million

• Rio Arriba: $215 million

• Bernalillo: $124 million

• Sandoval: $85 million

• Taos: $26 million

• Other: $35 million

 

The Laboratory also supports business growth through mentorship and technology sharing. In FY24, Laboratory-supported programs with New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA):

 

• Conducted 182 projects with 212 New Mexico small businesses,

• Attracted $14.1 million in new financing,

• Created or retained 371 non-Laboratory jobs with salaries totaling $4.8 million.

 

Triad National Security also supports small business as part of its $3.1 million Community Commitment Plan, which includes support of the Regional Development Corporation (RDC) in providing workforce training and business expansion programs to communities and Native American pueblos in northern New Mexico.

AmeriCorps VISTA Celebrates MLK Day

MLK Day in City of Las Vegas

Americorps VISTA volunteer Betty Bastai, serving at the Las Vegas New Mexico Community Foundation, presented "Poems for Peace." Pictured at right, the presentation took place during an evening of poetry with the West Las Vegas High School Writing Group, to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.


Santa Fe VISTA members held "MLK Day Read and Art for Peace" for ages 9-12 at the Southside Library in Santa Fe.

Small Business Training Opportunities

Las Vegas NM

Grant and Funding Opportunities

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:


Discretionary - PROTECT - Environment - FHWA Deadline February 24, 2025.

Strengthens surface transportation to be more resilient to natural hazards.


DOI OWF Slip-On Tanker Units, Deadline February 26, 2025.

To provide local governments with financial assistance to acquire slip-on tanker units to establish fleets of vehicles that can be quickly converted to be operated as fire engines.


NPS Historic Preservation Fund-Tribal Heritage Grants, Deadline February 27, 2025.

To promote and protect tribal cultural heritage and traditions such as traditional skills, oral history, plant and animal species important in tradition, sacred and historic places, and the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices.


BOR Native American Affairs: Technical Assistance to Tribes for Fiscal Year 2025, Deadline February 27, 2025.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes may submit proposals for financial assistance for projects and activities that develop, manage, and protect tribal water and related resources.


USFS Community Wildfire Defense Grant, Deadline February 28, 2025.

To develop or revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans or to implement projects described in a CWPP that is less than ten years old.


USFS Community Wildfire Defense Grant Tribes, Deadline February 28, 2025.

To develop or revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans or to implement projects described in a CWPP that is less than ten years old.


USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program, Deadline February 28, 2025.

Construction and equipment funding for small businesses. Contact Maria.Meadowcroft@usda.gov with questions.


EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia, Deadline March 14, 2025.

To Improve local post-consumer materials management programs and make improvements to local waste management systems.


NPS Historic Preservation Fund-Semiquincentennial Grants, Deadline March 18, 2025.

To fund physical preservation to properties listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, including buildings, sites, structures, objects, or historic districts.


DOJ Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, Deadline March 18, 2025.

For tribes to apply for funding to aid in developing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety.


USDA Bison Production and Marketing Grant Program, Deadline March 26, 2025.

To strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of bison and bison products.


USDA Rural Energy for America Program, Deadline March 31, 2025 and Quarterly.

Loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.


BIL-DE-Renew America's Schools Prize, Deadline April 3, 2025.

To transform decaying public school infrastructure into healthier, more energy efficient learning environments.


DOT Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, Deadline April 3, 2025.

For planning and design phase activities for developing transportation projects in rural or tribal communities.


HHS Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance, Deadline April 14, 2025. For assessments and planning, designing, restoring, and implementing native language curriculum and education projects to support a community's language preservation goals. 


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

For immersion-based 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 till 2026.

To restore and protect aquatic ecosystems.


USDA Value Added Producer Grant, Deadline April 18, 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/communities.


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.



To sign up for the Weekly Grants Advisory from New Mexico's Federal Delegation,

please contact Greg Knadle at: greg.knadle@heinrich.senate.gov


Work with NCNMEDD!

See our Contract and Employment Opportunities.