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Monthly Newsletter

March 2023

Message from the Executive Director

As we reach the end of the 2023 Legislative Session, I want to thank our Legislators for sponsoring capital outlay and House Bill 2 Jr. requests for important projects across our region. We look forward to some great results with those funds! I want to extend a special thanks to Representative Susan K. Herrera for sponsoring House Bill 311, which provides much needed additional state funding for the councils of governments. At NCNMEDD, we will direct those resources toward our grant writing and technical assistance program in the upcoming year.


Please note below the rapidly approaching deadlines for Congressionally Directed Spending requests. NCNMEDD is also starting to assist our disaster-impacted communities by scoping projects for EDA's upcoming disaster allocation. We expect a Notice of Funding Availability to be released this week for this important opportunity.


-Monica Abeita

NCNMEDD Technical Assistance!

Does your public entity need help funding a project? Request assistance from NCNMEDD to develop and write grant applications and proposals, including project scopes of work and budgets. 

 

Read this guidance and submit a letter of request for assistance. Contact Felicity Fonseca at 505-356-9098 with questions.  


In addition to general grant writing support, NCNMEDD is offering professional engineering and GIS support for transportation planning efforts and project scoping. If you’re interested in such support, please contact Paul Sittig at [email protected] or 505-356-9694. 

FY 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending

Non-profit entities, public institutions, and state, local, and Tribal government entities are eligible to make Congressionally Directed Spending requests. The federal appropriations process can take many months. Please keep this in mind when submitting your interest forms.


Submit your request to Senator Heinrich’s office by Friday March 10. For more information, email [email protected].


Submit your request to Senator Lujan's office by Thursday March 16. For more information email [email protected].



Submit your request to Representative Leger-Fernandez' office by March 12. For more information email [email protected] or call 202-225-6190.


NCNMEDD can provide assistance in making a request for Congressionally Directed Spending. Please call or email Felicity Fonseca for assistance at [email protected] or 505-356-9098.



Congressionally Directed Spending:

Mini-Series Hosted by the Office of

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján

The Office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján is hosting a series of informational sessions related to the Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) FY24 process. We hope these sessions help to support your efforts in navigating this federal funding process. The Senator’s Appropriations staff (email listed below) is also available to connect with you regarding any questions you may have.

 

Please attend the event that makes the most sense for your organization or entity. These briefings will be recorded and will be available after the sessions.



   Tribal Entity Focus

Monday, March 6, 2023 12:00-12:50pm MST

JOIN HERE

Passcode: BLujan3!


Healthcare Focus

     Monday, March 6, 2023, 1:00-1:50pm MST

JOIN HERE

Passcode: BLujan4!

 

 Water Infrastructure Focus

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:00-9:50am MST  

JOIN HERE

Passcode: BLujan1!

 

      Nonprofit Organization Focus

     Tuesday, March 7, 2023 10:00-10:50am MST

JOIN HERE

Passcode: BLujan2!


Questions? E-mail [email protected].

Department of Energy Announces $50 million to Support Energy on Tribal Lands

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $50 million in funding to support clean energy technology deployment on Tribal lands. This significant investment will strengthen Tribal energy sovereignty by bolstering ongoing efforts to lower energy costs, increase energy security and resilience, and provide electric power to unelectrified buildings.


Through this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the DOE is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations to:  

  • Install clean energy generating systems and/or energy efficiency measures for tribal buildings 
  • Deploy community-scale clean energy generating systems or community energy storage on tribal lands 
  • Install integrated energy systems for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single or multiple essential tribal buildings during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience 
  • Provide electric power to tribal buildings, which otherwise would be unelectrified 

DOE anticipates issuing 10 to 25 awards ranging from $100,000 to $5 million. Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is for a distinctively different project and each application addresses only one subtopic area. DOE will accept applications from a consortium of Indian Tribes as long they are submitted by a single Indian Tribe representing the Tribal Consortium. You can read more here.


See the Funding Opportunity here: FOA for Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands-2023 (DE-FOA-0002975), Deadline May 16.

USDA Launches Rural Data Gateway

USDA Rural Development has been financing infrastructure and housing throughout rural America. That mission has expanded over the decades, and today, Rural Development supports everything from school buses to libraries and universities; ambulances to regional hospital centers; energy-efficient homes to electric and water utilities; broadband service to bio-fuels industries; local grocery stores to food processors, wholesalers, and much more. 


USDA has implemented a Rural Data Gateway to make RD’s data more available and easier to access. It features Rural Investments Dashboards with an easy-to-use interface that allows data from more than 65 RD programs to be viewed and downloaded. The Gateway and dashboards will help USDA get more resources to the people who need them in rural places.


Explore this tool here.

Meet NMEDD's FUNDIT Platform


The FUNDIT program was created to provide a platform for collaboration and sharing information to close financing gaps so projects can move forward.


FUNDIT’s mission is to help connect funders to projects and projects to funders while building an ecosystem of resources for public economic development projects. FUNDIT brings together economic development stakeholders across federal, state, and local agencies to review and discuss community infrastructure and economic development projects at quarterly meetings, while providing one on one technical assistance and resource matching for all FUNDIT project applicants.


To that end, FUNDIT just launched its new website which hosts resources for project development, a project pipeline detailing all the projects that come through FUNDIT, and a place for new projects to apply. FUNDIT will host quarterly pitch meetings in which project applicants will be able to present their projects to a panel of experts in their respective fields.


FUNDIT is kicking off its first pitch meeting of 2023 on Thursday, March 9.  Register here

Growing Justice Food Systems

Fund Announcement

GROWING JUSTICE is a pooled fund co-designed by funders, farmers, advocates, food suppliers, purchasers, and community partners from across the country to transform food systems through equitable good food procurement.


Founders include the RockefellerW.K. Kellogg, Kresge, Panta Rhea, and Clif Family foundations and the Native American Agriculture Fund.


Awards of $50,000 to $250,000 are available to support community-led efforts to advance the vision and values of GROWING JUSTICE.

Learn More and take their eligibility quiz.


The fund envisions a future in which tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latin, Asian, and immigrant people engaged in food markets as suppliers, producers, distributors, workers, and eaters at community-serving institutions are economically and physically thriving thanks in part to efforts by large community institutions to prioritize equitable good food procurement.

Meet our New Grants and Finance Specialist

Meet our new Grants and Finance Specialist, Iris Romero! Iris comes to us from a background working for different state agencies in Santa Fe.


Iris recently relocated from Las Vegas, NM to Mora and will be serving our communities there.

Iris looks forward to working with Mora County as part of the long-term recovery effort for the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Fire. She is excited to join the North Central Economic Development District by tackling challenges in Mora County and helping the community rebuild its lands and home. 

Meet our New Americorps VISTA Leader

Meet out new VISTA Leader, Nancy Kastning! Nancy will be focusing on helping us recruit VISTA volunteers to our program.


Nancy is a retired field research environmental scientist, ecologist, and botanist; and STEM and agriculture educator. After graduating with an MS in Botany from University of Wyoming, she spent the first part of her career conducting field research on environmental conditions in the southwestern and Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. The second half of her career was spent as an educator, sharing her knowledge with K-14 students.


This is Nancy's fourth term of VISTA service! She has served at a variety of host sites including a food hub for the farmers in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming, outdoor STEM education program for the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office/Kasha Katuwe-Tent Rocks National Monument, the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department, and Rocky Boy Tribal Community in North-central Montana where she worked on achieving tribal food sovereignty and security. 

NM DOT Transportation Project Funds

NMDOT's call for applications for state Transportation Project Fund (TPF) funds remains open. Eligible projects include the following five categories: (1) environmental and other studies; (2) planning; (3) design; (4) construction; and (5) acquisition of rights of way necessary for the development of transportation infrastructure.


Eligible projects include highways, streets, roadways, bridges, crossing structures, parking facilities, vehicular, transit, bicycle, or pedestrian focus, and use for travel, ingress, egress and parking.


Applications should clearly identify the phase of work the funding will be used for (i.e. planning, design, construction, etc.). It is expected that projects may be funded up to $3 million.


Send your TPF Project Feasibility Forms (PFFs) to your Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) by March 20. If you have questions, please contact Paul Sittig at [email protected] or 505-356-9694, and you can find more resources online at https://www.rtponm.org/resources.

Local and Regional Events

RCAC Presents New Mexico Drinking Water Technical, Managerial & Financial Workshops


Rural Community Assistance Corporation presents a free online workshop series that runs now through June 8. See the full list of classes HERE.


March 14, 16: Water Treatment Techniques Part I & II.


March 21: Mechanical Systems and Valves Part I & II


April 4, 6: Operator Mathematics Part I & II Online


Register here.

RCAC Water Leadership Workshop Series


Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Drinking Water Bureau invite you to join a unique and exceptional set of workshops. This workshop series is for board members and workers of small drinking water systems. The goal is to create more intentional, effective and energized leaders by practicing skills and implementing tools to meet today’s challenges and take on tomorrow’s opportunities.


Topics will include meeting compliance, accessing funding, preparing to meet water quantity and quality challenges, and forming connections to others in the water sector. Participants must be current or aspiring workers or board members of water and/or sewer systems from rural communities.


Sessions will run on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm with lunch included. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to take up challenging problems in your community and lay out sensible, achievable approaches to solving those problems.


When: March 10 -11 (Sessions 1 & 2)


March 31 and April 1 (Sessions 3 & 4)


May 5 (Project Presentation & Graduation)


Location: Vadito Community Center - 5 Picuris Road, Vadito, NM 87579


To register, please send an email or call to: Melanie Delgado from the New Mexico Environment Department at [email protected] | 505.670.5897


Northern NM

Work-Based Learning Summit


Work-Based Learning is critical for many stakeholders. We encourage educators, educational leaders, government leaders, workforce professionals, nonprofits, and businesses from across New Mexico to attend this conference.


The Northern NM Work-Based Learning Coalition is a collaboration from across the entire region, working together for the future of work-based learning.


When: May 2-3


Location: Santa Fe Community Convention Center 201 West Marcy Street

Santa Fe, NM 87501


Register here.

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Grant and Funding Opportunities

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.  Also, subscribe to the New Mexico Broadband Connections newsletter for updates and information about broadband opportunities through the state. 


USDA Emergency Rural Healthcare Grant, Rolling deadline until funds are expended.

Track one grants fund equipment and construction for health care needs, vaccines, and telehealth, as well as facilities, equipment, and operating expenses associated with food banks and food distribution facilities. Grants up to $1 million, match required.


DOJ Community Oriented Policing Services, Learn More.

Funding opportunities include Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (Deadline March 21).

Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness (Deadline April 14), Preparing for Active Shooter Situations (Deadline April 14), Anti Heroin Task Force and Anti-Methamphetamine Program (Deadline April 18).


New Mexico Tourism Department Clean and Beautiful Grant Program, Spring 2023.

Grants to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify New Mexico communities.


New Mexico Tourism Department Rural Pathway Program, Rolling deadline until May 1.  

Provides up to $50,000 in matching funds to eligible entities looking to implement tourism-related projects. Eligible project types may include museums, destination wayfinding, thematic trails, interpretive planning, and agritourism, among others.  


2023 NAGPRA Consultation/Documentation Grants, Deadline March 10.

For consultation and documentation projects under Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).


HRSA Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP) Deadline March 21. 

To expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, health service psychologists, counselors, nurses, and/or social workers trained to provide mental health and substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD) services in underserved community-based settings.


SAMHSA Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals, Deadline March 21.

To provide evidence-based treatment and services for individuals, youth, and families with substance use disorders (SUDs) or co-occurring mental health conditions and SUDs who are experiencing homelessness.


2023 Wood Innovations Grant and 2023 Community Wood Grant, March 23.

To expand traditional wood use projects, advance wood energy markets, and promote wood use in commercial building construction. This program’s goals are to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on national forests and other forest lands, reduce the costs of forest management, and promote economically strong and environmentally healthy communities.


FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grants, Deadline March 31.


USDA Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program

Deadline April 1. Loan and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems, to make energy efficiency improvements, or for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.


IMLS Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants, Deadline April 3.

To assist Native American tribes in improving core library services for their communities.


BLM New Mexico Fuels Management and Fire Assistance Program, Deadline April 3.

To assist with fuels management and community fire assistance program activities.


BLM New Mexico Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Program,

Deadline April 3. To address the climate crisis, restore balance on public lands, advance environmental justice, and invest in a clean energy future.


EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recyling Grant Program (SWIFR) Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia, Deadline April 4.

Funds tribes and intertribal consortia to develop or update plans that encourage environmentally sound post-consumer materials management.


EPA Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreements, Deadline April 14.

To support community-based nonprofit organizations to collaborate and partner with other stakeholders to develop solutions that will significantly address environmental and/or public health issue(s) in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks.


EPA Environmental Justice Government to Government Program, Deadline April 14.

For partnerships with community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs) and other stakeholders to develop solutions that will significantly address disproportionate environmental and public health harms related to pollution and climate change at the state and local level.


NSF Future Manufacturing, Deadline April 19.

To support research and education of a future workforce to overcome scientific, technological, educational, economic, and social barriers in order to catalyze new manufacturing capabilities that do not exist today.


USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy RISE, Deadline April 20.

To create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas.


NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance for Outreach and Education, Deadline April 22.

To conduct conservation outreach workshops and training, to educate New Mexico’s agricultural community, private landowners, conservation organizations, cooperating agencies, acequias, and land grants.


NRCS Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements, Deadline April 27.

To support outreach to underserved producers and communities about opportunities with NRCS for natural resource conservation, climate-smart agriculture and forestry.


DHS STORM Revolving Loan Fund Program, Deadline April 28.

For state governments or tribal applicants, to establish revolving loan funds to provide hazard mitigation assistance to reduce risks from disasters and natural hazards, and other related environmental harm.


NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants New Mexico, Deadline May 1.

To stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.


USDA Regional Food System Partnerships, Deadline May 2.

To build and strengthen local or regional food economy viability and resilience, including pandemic response and recovery.


USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program, Deadline May 2.

A variety of activities that support and promote direct producer-to-consumer marketing.

USDA Local Food Promotion Program, Deadline May 2.

For projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing, to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.


FOA for Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands-2023 (DE-FOA-0002975),

Deadline May 16. Four topic areas including installing clean energy generating systems and energy efficiency measures for tribal buildings.


NEH Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants, Deadline May 17.

For the purchase, design, construction, restoration, or renovation of buildings or sites of national, historical, architectural, or cultural significance and facilities that house humanities collections or are used for humanities activities. Match required.


EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Program, Deadline May 31.

To make subawards to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible subrecipient groups representing underserved and disadvantaged communities.


DOI Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, Deadline June 23.

To support the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats and species of Tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished.


NEA Grants for Arts Projects, Deadline July 6.

Grants from $10,000 to $100,000, match required.


USDA NIFA Agricultural and Food Research Initiative-Sustainable Agricultural Systems,

Deadline July 13. Wide variety of eligible applicants. For projects that improve the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products, while fostering economic development and rural prosperity.


F23AS00103 Refuge Enhancement/Infrastructure and Non-Infrastructure, Deadline September 10.

The goals of the initiative are to enable local communities to play a more active role in increasing outdoor recreation opportunities on refuge lands and waters, and to enhance wildlife habitat.


DOI FWS Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment, Deadline September 10.

The purpose of Service PLC Programs is to provide work and education opportunities for youth (defined as ages 16-30 inclusive, and up to age 35 for veterans) participants in the areas of natural and cultural resource conservation, development, and scientific research. 

In Case You Missed it.....

AmeriCorps VISTA

Now Recruiting VISTA Volunteers Throughout the Region! 


Mora County - Fire Recovery and 100% Community VISTA Learn more and apply.  


NCNMEDD - Rural Partners Network VISTA Learn more and apply.   

  

Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging - Senior Nutrition VISTA  Learn more and apply.  


Santa Fe County - Broadband Planning VISTA Learn more and apply. 


STEM Santa FE - STEM Equity VISTA Learn more and apply.  


Town of Taos - Civics and Opportunity through Media VISTA Learn more and apply.  


AmeriCorps VISTA projects empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty.  


To learn more, apply to be a VISTA, or apply to be a VISTA subsite in our region contact Felicity Fonseca at 505-356-9098, [email protected] 

Work with NCNMEDD! See our

Contract and Employment Opportunities.