Mid-Region Council of Governments
November 2020
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Mid-Region Council of Governments is following and monitoring news regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and we're working to ensure our communities continue to receive our services. Upcoming meetings at MRCOG may be canceled or will have teleconferencing options available. Be sure to check the MRCOG website for updates regarding meetings. The MRCOG Regional Planning employees are working from home, but we are still available to provide assistance for your community's needs!

The Regional Planning Program is available via email:
Sandy Gaiser, Regional Planning Manager

Channing Hofman, Regional/RTPO Planner
Maida Rubin, Senior Planner

Payton Showalter, Regional Planner
MRCOG Economic Development
The Mid-Region Council of Governments has received a grant from the Economic Development Administration to provide technical assistance for economic development in response to COVID-19.

We are setting up meetings with each of our member communities to discuss:

  • Issues your community is facing in response to the pandemic
  • Your community's economic development efforts
  • How we can best provide assistance to your community and help with your current efforts

Staff can provide various technical assistance including:

  • Reviewing grant applications and locating funding opportunities
  • Facilitating and hosting desired trainings for businesses and communities
  • Connecting businesses to available resources

Please visit our website for various
economic recovery resources at 
We want to hear about your priority projects!

It has come to our attention that some communities may not be able to host their typical legislator events such as breakfasts or dinners this year due to COVID-19. We are assembling a document to distribute to legislators in the upcoming legislative session. This document will present Mid-Region communities’ priority, shovel-ready projects. It will contain information and photos of 2-3 priority projects from each participating community’s ICIP. We hope to provide this document as an alternate way to communicate your community's priorities to your legislators.

If your community would like to be included in this document, please send the following information to Payton Showalter at pshowalter@mrcog-nm.gov by November 25, 2020.

  1. The pages of 2 or 3 projects you would like to highlight from your ICIP
  2. Photos of the locations, projects, or designs 
  3. A brief summary describing why these projects are important to your community and the Mid-Region
  4. The contact information of the person legislators should get in touch with for questions regarding the project.
Be sure to sign up for NMEDD's Weekly Resource Wrap-Up!

This weekly newsletter from the New Mexico Economic Development Department includes COVID-19 resources as well as upcoming trainings, webinars, and events.
New Mexico FundIt

"New Mexico FundIt assists communities in accessing financing from over 15 different state and federal entities—all at one in-person meeting. FundIt is not a grant program; it is a platform connecting your community with a variety of different agencies and resources simultaneously. This collaboration saves time, improves effective project review and support, and ensures strategic investments with public resources. Let FundIt help you navigate the funding world, and make connections with resources for your community in the commercial and public sectors."
RTPO News
Upcoming RTPO Meeting

December 17, 2020
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Held Virtually on Zoom

The RTPO Committee will be reviewing and prioritizing 5310/5311 applications for transit funding. More information will be distributed as soon as it becomes available.

The RTPO Committee meeting agenda will be posted to the MRCOG website no later than 7 days in advance.
Because of current health considerations, this meeting will be conducted through Zoom. More information about this will be sent out prior to the meeting.

For more information regarding the RTPO meeting please contact Channing Hofman, RTPO Planner at chofman@mrcog-nm.gov.
Call for Photos
MRCOG Regional Planning staff are creating a calendar for 2021, and we want to feature your communities!
Send us your favorite pictures highlighting your community to be featured in the Regional Planning 2021 Calendar.

Email your photos to pshowalter@mrcog-nm.gov
by December 4, 2020.
Funding Opportunities

"The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world, but Pueblo communities have suffered particularly difficult consequences. Due to these unprecedented times, and within our capacity as a small family foundation, Chamiza is also accepting applications (from New Mexico’s 19 Pueblo Indian tribal communities) that respond to direct threats from COVID-19. The grant awards range from $3,000 to $12,000. Chamiza has set the following grant making priorities for relief efforts:

  • Food, medical supplies and personal items
  • Water
  • Community Relief and Recovery Needs
  • Internet access and connectivity
  • Other needs and expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic."



"As part of our continuing commitment to elevate our impact in rural America, LISC is inviting small business owners in rural locations across the country to apply for the LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants program. We will support small businesses and enterprises affected by Covid-19 across the country, especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital."
Workshops and Trainings

Roadway Safety 365, December 1 and 2, 2020 from 1:00-4:00PM

"To help reduce the number and severity of crashes on local and rural roadways, the FHWA Office of Safety has developed this one day Road Safety 365 workshop as part of a package of focused products for local and rural governments. Road Safety 365 is designed to provide local and rural agencies with practical and effective ways to incorporate safety solutions into daily activities as well as the project development process."


Low Cost Roadway Safety Improvements, December 9, 2020 from 1:00-5:00 PM

"This 2 part course provides examples of low-cost maintenance and safety improvements on roads. The importance of road safety, and how it can be integrated into local transportation construction, operations, and maintenance will be stressed. Attendees will given numerous actionable items that will make their road network safer. The class will be a fun combination of lecture, discussion, and group activities. We look forward to seeing you at the workshop."
Upcoming Holidays
MRCOG will be closed the following days:
Thanksgiving
November 26, 2020
&
November 27, 2020
Christmas Day
December 25, 2020

New Year's Day
January 1, 2021
Mid-Region Council of Governments
809 Copper Avenue, NW, Albuquerque, NM 87012
(505) 247-1750 www.mrcog-nm.gov