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Monthly Newsletter

September 2022

Road to Ojo Sarco

Message from the Executive Director


As our members know, NCNMEDD is committed to generating new funding for the region, especially now, with so many grant opportunities available. The good news is that we are beginning to see results! In the first quarter of 2022 alone, we have announced two EDA Indigenous Communities Program awards, NCNMEDD's regional $6.4 million Good Jobs Challenge award, and $18 million in Transportation Project Fund grants. We have also submitted an impressive $9 million in funding requests  through our grant writing program for the same time period. 


The buzz around these successes is growing. The staff and I were proud to present our grant writing program to the Rural Economic Opportunities Task Force Interim Legislative Committee in August, and I answered questions about the program at the Legislative Finance Committee meeting in Chama. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure funding for our projects. I encourage you all to reach out regarding the great resources we have available for technical assistance and grant writing, as well as grant administration and support. 


Monica Abeita

Tafoya Chavarria Castillo







Santa Clara Pueblo Awarded $3 million to Support Water and Wastewater Infrastructure


Congratulations to Santa Clara Pueblo! The project will provide critical infrastructure to a commercial area in order to attract and grow Tribal businesses. This EDA grant is expected to create 400 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment. Funds were awarded through EDA's Indigenous Communities Program.  

 

Santa Clara Pueblo Governor Michael J. Chavarria, Public Works Director Daniel Tafoya and Santa Clara Development Corporation CEO Elijah Baca participated in the August 15 EDA roundtable that celebrated this award as well as NCNMEDD's Good Jobs Challenge award. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo and Representative Teresa Leger-Fernandez were able to congratulate awardees in -person at the event.  

Field of flowers

Grant Writing Assistance From NCNMEDD



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.  


Strong Showing for Transportation Project Fund Awards in North Central Region!

I-25 south to Santa Fe

On August 18, 2022, the New Mexico State Transportation Commission confirmed the FY 2023 Transportation Project Fund (TPF) awards. NCNMEDD communities and counties received more than $18 million dollars for 12 projects, including almost $4 million to fill funding shortfalls for prior TPF awards. Award recipients in our region are Mora, San Miguel, and Taos counties; the Town of Springer; the Villages of Angel Fire, Cimarron, Eagle Nest, and Maxwell; Santa Clara and Taos Pueblos; the Jicarilla Apache Nation; and the North Central Regional Transit District.


Across the state, award amounts ranged from $60,000 to almost $5 million dollars, with most projects coming in around $1 to 2 million.


The next call for projects will be issued by NMDOT in late winter to early spring 2023. NCNMEDD will keep you informed about the statewide funding allocated in the 2023 legislative session and any possible changes to the TPF program. The baseline budget is $40 million per year statewide. In the 2022 legislative session, an additional $60 million was provided for NMDOT to award statewide. 

Local and Regional Events

NMML logo

New Mexico Municipal League Presents: Understanding the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Virtual Training September 7 at 2 pm


Learn how the BIL is structured, what programs are being funded, when the funding will be available, how to apply for funding, and which type of projects are being supported. The webinar will also discuss the changes to the Buy America provision affecting this law and the associated projects.


The webinar will be taught by experienced grant writer Chuck Thomas of Petroglyph Consulting. Chuck has over 30 years of experience working for public agencies in New Mexico. Respond to NMML's survey about applying for competitive federal grants, and learn more.  


REGISTER HERE


housing

Housing Toolkit Webinar September 28 at 3pm


NCNMEDD presents a revamped housing toolkit webinar later this month. The webinar will cover the basics of affordable and workforce housing, tailored to the interests of those who register. 


REGISTER HERE

Tres Piedras cell tower

Broadband Collective Hosts Broadband Equity Virtual Summit on September 30


The New Mexico Broadband Collective consists of funders and nonprofit organizations committed to ensuring access to broadband in “hard to connect communities” in the state of New Mexico. They will present a Broadband Equity Virtual Summit on September 30, 2022 from 9 am -12 pm. 


Agenda highlights include a presentation from Kelly Schlegel, Director of the NM Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, presentations from Broadband Equity Fund Awardees, breakout sessions, and a presentation about technical assistance available to increase broadband equity in your community.


REGISTER HERE.  


The NM Broadband Collective also founded the Broadband Equity Fund, which recently awarded $355,000 to six entities.  A diverse range of awardees proposed innovative approaches to increase broadband access and equity.  See awardees here.  

Outdoor Economics Conference Taos

Outdoor Economics Conference October 5-7 in Taos



The conference highlights successful community economic development efforts that are connected to protected lands and development of governmental policies and local entrepreneurship which support these opportunities. 


Sample program offerings include Outdoor Infrastructure as Community and Economic Development, Outdoor Education in Schools, and Building a Successful Outdoor Business: Branding, Capital, and Sustainability. 


Learn more and register for the conference.  


Field of flowers

2022 Adventure Pitch Offers $15,000 in Prizes


The Adventure Pitch is sponsored by the Outdoor Recreation Division, Outdoor New Mexico, and CNM Ingenuity, and will take place on October 7 at the Outdoor Economics Conference in Taos.  Startups are encouraged to apply by September 4, and the application closes September 11.  Startups with an established legal entity, strong founding team, and some level of product or customer traction are all eligible. The ideal applicant is a company that has a launched or soon-to-launch product, customer traction validating an exciting market opportunity, and a vision for massive growth. 

 

Startups will pitch to judges in five-minute rounds, with the winner announced immediately after the event. First place will win a $10,000 cash prize, followed by second place ($3,000), and third place ($2,000).

 

Now Recruiting VISTA Volunteers! 

AmeriCorps VISTA

Santa Fe County Seeking AmeriCorps Broadband Planning VISTA

Santa Fe County is seeking a dedicated candidate for their AmeriCorps VISTA Broadband and Planning Specialist position! Learn more and apply.   


Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Seeking AmeriCorps Senior Nutrition VISTA

Non-Metro AAA is seeking a dedicated candidate to improve food security for seniors in New Mexico.  Learn more and apply.  


The North Central New Mexico Economic Development District runs a VISTA program serving our eight county region. AmeriCorps VISTA supports efforts to address poverty by providing opportunities for Americans 18 years of age and older to dedicate a year of full-time service on projects designed to empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty.  To learn more, apply to be a VISTA, or apply to be a subsite in our region contact Felicity Fonseca at 505-356-9098.  

Funding and News for Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Funding and News for Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Black-Owned Business Assistance | Coalition to Back Black Businesses (webackblackbusinesses.com)

Applications for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Coalition to Back Black Businesses Grant are now live! This year’s grant features a $5,000 prize, as well as mentorship and resources to help applicants to grow and thrive. Applications for the 2022-2023 cohort close September 6.


Meta Boost Events for Small Business | Meta for Business (facebook.com)

Meta Boost Small Business Studios offers trainings, resources, events, and more to help small businesses succeed on Facebook, Instagram, and beyond.  


WESST Women's Business Centers has a great line-up of September 

Events/Workshops (wesst.org). Trainings include Digital Media Marketing, Government Contracting, Knowing the Difference Between Instagram Promotions and Ads, Social Media Basics: Facebook ads, Basic Bookkeeping for New Business Owners, and more!  

Fire and Flood Recovery Information 

  • NEW!  New Mexico Cares is offering housing assistance to those whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fire. A maximum of $5,000 in assistance can be requested for rent, utilities, mortgage payments, damage deposits, or home repairs.  Find the application and guidelines at Home | Helping Hands (nmcares.org).


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.  


Rural Pathway Program, Rolling Deadline until May 1, 2023.  

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. 


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. 


EMNRD NM Youth Conservation Corps Request For Proposals, Deadline September 29.  

Projects shall employ youth between the ages of 14 to 25 (Corps Members) to carry out projects that serve a public interest through conserving, improving, or beautifying New Mexico’s lands and facilities and provide long-term community or regional benefits.


EMNRD Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants, Deadline September 30.  

Grants of up to $24,999 to protect rural communities from catastrophic wildfire. 10% match required.  



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.


Continuum of Care Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, Deadline September 30.  To quickly re-house homeless individuals, families, persons fleeing domestic violence, and youth.


US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grants, Deadline October 7, 2 pm.

To help communities and tribes plan for and reduce wildfire risk.  


Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program, Deadline October 7.  

This grant is intended to bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and foster understanding of national food security trends and how they might improve local food systems. 


Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), Deadline October 11. 

Projects should lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches to agricultural producers through the development of technical manuals, guides, and practical instruction for the private sector. 


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.


Conservation Technical Assistance: Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) Cooperative Agreements, Deadline October 22. 

To expand the delivery of conservation technical assistance to support grazing planning and conservation practice and improve agricultural resilience. 


BIA Tribal Tourism Grant Program, Deadline October 24.  

Up to $150,000 for tourism related feasibility studies or business plans. 


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

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. 


Round 4 of ReConnect,  Applications accepted September 6-November 2. 

Funding to expand high-speed internet access. Grants, loans, and loan/grant combinations.  


Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program, Deadline: December 15.

To encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes. The program supports high-impact projects that lead to measurable outcomes on the landscape, leverage public and private resources, and further priorities identified in science-based restoration strategies. 


In case you  missed it....

Grant Writing Assistance From NCNMEDD

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. 


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 until May 31, 2023 or funds are expended.


LGBTQ+ Microgrants

$5,000 microgrants will be awarded to 10 LGBTQ+ small business owners over the next 12 months.

Work with NCNMEDD! See our

Contract and Employment Opportunities.