The CoP is a knowledge sharing and training forum that seeks to engage tribal and Native communities at various stages along their path toward diversified, comprehensive, and sustainable economic development. This group is sponsored by EDA.

For more information, please visit their website at: Indigenous Economic Development (indigenouscop.org)

Register for the first virtual gather on February 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm MST: Meeting Registration - Zoom

This opportunity through DHS-FEMA will provide financial assistance to eligible BRIC applicants for the following activities:

• Capability and Capacity-Building - activities that enhance the knowledge, skills, and expertise of the current workforce to expand or improve the administration of mitigation assistance, including building codes, partnerships, project scoping, hazard mitigation planning and planning-related activities, etc.
• Hazard Mitigation Projects - cost-effective projects designed to increase resilience and public safety; reduce injuries and loss of life; and reduce damage and destruction to property, critical services, facilities, and infrastructure (including natural systems) from a multitude of natural hazards, including drought, wildfire, earthquakes, extreme heat, and the effects of climate change.
• Management Costs - financial assistance to reimburse the recipient and subrecipient for eligible and reasonable indirect costs, direct administrative costs, and other administrative expenses associated with a specific mitigation measure or project in an amount up to 15% of the total amount of the grant award, of which not more than 10% of the total award amount may be used by the recipient and 5% by the subrecipient for such costs generally.

Deadline: February 29, 2024

Cost Share: 90% federal share, for economically disadvantaged rural communities

100% management costs for all

Total Program Funding: $1,000,000,000

More Information: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities | FEMA.gov

The National Historic Preservation Act authorizes grants to federally recognized Tribes for cultural and historic preservation projects. These grants assist Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations in protecting and promoting their unique cultural heritage and traditions.

From the beginning, the program has been shaped by Tribes. It focuses on what they are most concerned about protecting: traditional skills, oral history, plant and animal species important in tradition, sacred and historic places, and the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices.

Deadline: February 20, 2024

Award Amounts: $15,000-$75,000

More Information: Tribal Heritage Grant Application Information - Historic Preservation Fund (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

The New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) will open the Opportunity Enterprise Revolving Fund on January 16, 2024. Applications will be due by March 1, 2024.

Created by the New Mexico Legislature, the Opportunity Enterprise Revolving Fund provides low-cost loans for building or renovation projects to increase the inventory of commercial facilities and achieve economic benefits for the state. Builders or developers that are building or renovating a commercial facility on spec (i.e. the occupant or renter is not yet known) are eligible to apply, as well as those who know who the occupant will be. Basic information about the program is as follows:

• Loan amounts range from no minimum to a maximum of $17,500,000. 
• Interest rates are fixed at 0.60 of the WSJ prime rate, but no less than 3% 
• The loan term is 15-30 years. The loan may be paid off in advance with no pre-payment penalty. 
• Loan funds can be used for activities related to commercial facility development, including purchasing, planning, designing, building, surveying, operating, equipping, or maintaining land, buildings, or infrastructure.
• Collateral, personal guarantees, credit checks, and a minimum of 10% owner’s equity are required. 
• Applications will be prioritized by criteria related to community impact and support, job creation, applicant readiness and need, location, and industry.       

More information about the Opportunity Enterprise Revolving Fund can be found on NMFA’s website at https://www.nmfinance.com/opportunity-enterprise-fund/.

Contact:

Lynn Taulbee, Managing Director of Communications, NMFA

[email protected]

505-992-9618

USDA Rural Development has announced that the FY24 Rural Business Development Grant is now accepting applications. The New Mexico soft deadline is February 1, 2024, this will allow for feedback on your application prior to the National Competition deadline of February 28, 2024. If you decide to proceed with an application, please contact:

Maria Meadowcroft

505-761-4940

[email protected]

NPS-RTCA welcomes applications from community groups, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, national parks, and local, state and federal agencies. NPS-RTCA does not provide financial assistance or monetary grants. As a collaborative partner, we provide professional services to help you achieve your conservation and outdoor recreation project vision.

Applications are due March 1, 2024.

For more information, please visit:

NPS-RTCA Informational Webinar - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (U.S. National Park Service) or National Park Service Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Community Assistance (nps.gov)

The New Mexico Mainstreet (NMMS) Winter Conference is set for January 31 through February 2 in Santa Fe.

The conference is a great opportunity for MainStreet board members, volunteers, local government partners, and community economic development leaders to join the MainStreet network and learn about downtown revitalization topics through training sessions and hands-on activities.

NMMS welcomes you to this special event in historic downtown Santa Fe during New Mexico's Legislative Session! 

Register Here

NMDOT recently announced their call for Recreational Trails Program (RTP) FFY 2025-2026 applications, to be routed through the respective RTPOs and MPOs as in years past.

Preliminary Recreational Trails Program documents are due to your RTPO planners in February. For more information, contact

NPRTPO Planner Contact:

Felicity Fonseca, NCNMEDD

[email protected]

NERTPO Planner Contact:

Julie Surina, EPCOG

[email protected]

T/LPA Certification is required for Tribal or local public agencies who use federal transportation funds. Entities must have one full-time employee of the agency who is certified to be in responsible charge, and this person does not have to be an engineer. 

Two-day trainings are being held around the state:

Albuquerque: February 13-14

Espanola: March 20-21

All trainings are free and will be held from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm on both days. Bring your copy of the T/LPA handbook, which is available from NMDOT’s website. Contact Frank Lozano, at [email protected] to reserve a seat at one of the trainings.

BOR WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects, This rolling NOFO has three application submission periods with a final closing on September 30, 2024.

Provides technical assistance to local water agencies for the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. Projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse, thereby improving efficiency, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply. These projects provide growing communities with new sources of clean water which increase water management flexibility and make our water supply more reliable. SECOND Application Submission Period Due Date is March 29, 2024.

DOC Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, Deadline January 23, 2024.

To expand access to and adoption of: (i) broadband service on Tribal Land or (ii) programs that promote the use of broadband to access remote learning, telework, or telehealth resources.

BOR WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects for Fiscal Year 2023,

Deadline January 24, 2024. To study, design and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and result in the improvement of the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage.

EPA Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water, Deadline February 2, 2024. To help communities identify water infrastructure needs, plan for capital improvements, maintain regulatory compliance, improve resiliency, build capacity, and apply for the range of eligible projects under various grant programs.

NPS Historic Preservation Fund - Tribal Heritage Grants, Deadline February 20, 2024. These grants assist Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations in protecting their unique cultural heritage and traditions. It focuses on what they are most concerned about protecting: Traditional skills, oral history, plant and animal species important in tradition, sacred and historic places, and the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices.

DHS FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), Deadline February 29, 2024. FEMA will provide financial assistance to eligible BRIC Applicants for the following activities: Capability and Capacity-Building activities; Hazard Mitigation Projects; & Management Costs. More details are provided above in this newsletter.

DOI/BOR Native American Affairs Technical Assistance to Tribes for Fiscal Year 2024, Deadline March 12, 2024. To invite federally recognized Indian Tribes to submit proposals for financial assistance for projects and activities that develop, manage, and protect tribal water and related resources.

USDA RUS Calendar Year 2022 Disaster Water Grants, Until funds are exhausted.

To assist communities by awarding grant funds to qualified entities for expenses related to water infrastructure systems in designated areas that were impacted by events that occurred during calendar year 2022 and were recognized through Presidentially Declared Disasters.

USDA Community Facilities Program Disaster Repair Grants, Until funds are exhausted.

To eligible public bodies, non-profits, and federally recognized Tribes. Grants may cover up to

75% of total project cost. There is no minimum or maximum award amount.

EDA FY23 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs, Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new PWEAA NOFO.

To meet the full range of communities' and regions' economic need from planning and technical assistance to construction of infrastructure.

Planning Ahead

BOR WaterSMART Planning and Project Design Grants for FY23 & FY24,

Deadline April 2, 2024.

Provides funding for collaborative planning and design projects to support water management improvements. This includes funding for: (1) Water Strategy Grants to conduct planning activities to improve water supplies (e.g., water supplies to disadvantaged communities that do not have reliable access to water, water marketing, water conservation, drought resilience, and ecological resilience); (2) Project Design Grants to conduct project-specific design for projects to improve water management; and (3) comprehensive Drought Contingency Plans. 

BOR WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I for FY23, Deadline September 3, 2024.

The objective of this NOFO is to invite states, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, local governmental entities, non-profit organizations, existing watershed groups, and local and special districts (e.g., irrigation and water districts, conservation districts, natural resource districts) to submit proposals for Phase I activities to develop a watershed group, complete watershed restoration planning activities, and design watershed management projects.

EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program, Deadline November 21, 2024.  

The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.

To sign up for the Weekly Grants Advisory, please contact Greg Knadle at: [email protected]

Work with NCNMEDD! See our

Contract and Employment Opportunities.

The WIN Mobile Training Unit (MTU) will bring skilled trades training to remote areas of Northern New Mexico with a focus on apprenticeship readiness and full-time employment via its 3-week training programs in rural and tribal communities.

To schedule a MTU visit to your community, click HERE, or scan the QR code.

The MTU is in partnership with and operated by the Local Union 412.

To learn more the WIN program, please visit Northern New Mexico Workforce Integration Network (WIN) | Get A Good Job (nnm-win.com)

The City of Española is nestled in the Española Valley on the Rio Grande.

Española is situated at the border of Rio Arriba and Santa Fe Counties. It sits halfway between Santa Fe and Taos, and 30 minutes from Los Alamos. The city itself is bordered by the centuries-old Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblos, the original peoples of this land. 

Española was the original capital of the first European settlement in the United States. Originally called San Gabriel, it was settled in 1598 in the Yungue Uingue (Ohkay Owingeh) Pueblo near the joining of the Rio Chama and Rio Grande. It was here that the first Spanish settlement of Nuevo Mexico was established at the end Camino Real trade route running from Mexico to Ohkay Owingeh.

The Española Valley honors and supports cultural diversity, blending its roots of Hispanic and Native American cultures to create a rich tapestry of traditions and distinctive cuisine. It seamlessly blends the old and the new, with ancient pueblo architecture, colonial churches, historic cultural sites, New and Old Mexican restaurants, and modern breweries and wineries.

"The City of Española is focused on achieving sustainable long-term economic growth. Concentrating on revitalizing Mainstreet, our department is working with a sub-committee and the New Mexico Mainstreet folks. Another endeavor is working on a social media campaign. We are at the beginning stages of this endeavor, envisioning a pathway to the film and tourism industry. We will use this tool to attract new business, retain and strengthen current businesses, and stimulate the economy. The City is in the process of identifying possible trails and open space for the public to use, while conserving public lands and critical habitats." 

Jolene N. Nelson

Community Development Director

City of Española “The Heart of Northern New Mexico”

[email protected]

Upcoming Events in Espanola

ESPANOLA WANTS YOU TO KNOW:

FOOD DEPOT PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE

St. Vincent de Paul - Sacred Heart 908 Calle Rosario, Espanola

Every 3rd Saturday from 7:00 to 9:00 am

USDA Foods

Phone: 505-484-8698

Rock Christian Fellowship 919 Riverside Drive

Every Thursday from 8:00 to 10:30 am

Non-USDA Foods

Phone: 505-753-2094

San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen 171 W Jonathan Drive

Monday - Friday from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm

USDA Foods Free Lunch

Phone: 505-753-4956

As Northern New Mexico’s food bank, The Food Depot provides no-cost, healthy food across nine counties in Northern New Mexico (over 26,000 miles). Their hunger-relief network of more than 70 partner agencies works alongside The Food Depot’s mobile food pantries, school-based pantries, Food Mobile, and drive-through distributions. Together, community members can access over 150 food distribution sites.

To learn more about The Food Depot, please visit their website: The Food Depot

Espanola Public Library January Activities & Events 2024

Grab n’ Go Crafts: Every Tuesday                                                               1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

January 16^{th -} Activity Sheets, Penguin Craft

January 23^rd – Cardinal Bird Craft

January 30^th – Heart Tree Craft

In-Person Activities & Events

January 19^th – National Popcorn Day                                                                 2:30 – 4:00 pm

National Popcorn Day pops into the scene with a crunch we all love to enjoy! The annual celebration recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night. Come to the Española Library for your FREE bag of Popcorn! While supplies last!

January 26^th – Winter Lantern Craft                                                                    2:30 – 3:30 pm

USDA Grants Help People Repair Homes Damaged in 2022 Forest Fires

Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Residents in Mora, San Miguel, and Colfax Counties may be eligible for funding of up to $40,675 to repair their homes.

For more information, visit: USDA PROGRAMS