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Monthly Newsletter

 

November 2025

Autumn aspens

Message from the Executive Director

For those of us who are lucky enough to experience fall in New Mexico we are truly blessed. Autum brings the change of seasons and with that change I am pleased to announce two new members to our team.

 

  • David Mahooty is our new Finance Director. He comes to us with vast experience in banking, financial, and budget management. He has served in various positions in state, tribal and federal agencies. He holds a BA in Economics and an MBA both from UNM and is a proud graduate of New Mexico Military Institute. He is also a member of the Zuni Tribe.
  • Danny Osborn is our new Non Metro Area Agency on Aging Director. Danny has been personally navigating the aging network as he and his wife are the primary caregivers of his mother-in-law, and he works to support both of his parents who are in their 90’s. Danny is a Civil Engineer who has held positions in federal government and private industry. He comes to the Non-Metro AAA with several decades of executive management experience.

 

Please help us welcome David and Danny to our team, their passion for public service and excitement is awesome to see!


-Santiago Chavez


CEDS Corner:

Building a Stronger Regional Economy


















The Draft 2026-2030 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is now open for public comment. Please review the draft HERE and submit your public comments by 11/12/2025.



Our regional Data and Goals Dashboard with population and demographic characteristics, workforce and industry, business, entrepreneurship, and housing availability and affordability data is available for your use.

 

For details and more information on CEDS development please contact Felicity Fonseca.

Non Metro Area Agency on Aging

The Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging, a program of NCNMEDD, offers many programs to help seniors in need who are sixty years or older. The Senior Housing Program can help with home modifications, home repair, and mobile home replacement. Provider services offered through the NMAAA include: congregate and home delivered meals, non-emergency transportation, in-home care, respite care, case management, chore assistance, and nutrition counseling. To learn more call NMAAA at 866-699-4927 or locally at 505-395-2668.


On November 13, 2025 at 8:00AM come to The Senior Difference - Santa Fe's largest Health Fair. This is a FREE Senior/Older Adults event open to the public at the Courtyard Marriott, 3347 Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico.


Final NCNMEDD Quarterly VISTA Convening

NCNMEDD VISTAs gathered for their last quarterly Convening on October 9.The Convening was a harvest potluck that included locally grown and produced foods. The VISTAs gave excellent presentations on their projects. Present were: (left to right) Nancy Kastning, NCNMEDD VISTA Program Coordinator; Betty Bastai, a second year VISTA with the Las Vegas New Mexico Community Foundation (LVNMCF); Adam Elbeck, Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute VISTA (SFFMI); MG Salazar, the new Executive Director of the LVNMCF (seated); David Sundberg, VISTA Supervisor at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute (SFFMI), and Makayla Day, SFFMI.


Adam Elbeck has been developing the New Mexico Food Pathways Program at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute for the last year. He ends his year of service on November 3rd and returns to Wisconsin to start an insulating business. His work has been so valuable that SFFMI has found money to replace him with an intern. Makayla Day is the Local Foods for All VISTA at SFFMI. Makayla has been developing and running a mobile market in Santa Fe that brings local foods to underserved neighborhoods. Her VISTA term ends in mid-January 2026. Absent due to illness but not forgotten was Youthworks VISTA Carrice Chardin-McKinstry who ends her year of VISTA service at YouthWorks on November 3. She has been so valuable to Youthworks that they are hiring her directly when her year of service ends.

From the Transportation Desk at NCNMEDD

























In a recent meeting of the Northern Pueblos Regional Transportation Organization, the membership elected Elijah Mares, the Public Works Director for Española, as Vice Chair. This ended a run of distinguished service from Suzette Shije, Director of Tribal Transportation for the Santa Clara Pueblo. Congratulations to Mr. Mares and many thanks to Ms. Shije for her commitment to the NPRTPO. It should be noted that Ms. Shije urged Mr. Mares to run for the position.


The American Planning Association State Conference

This annual conference gathers planning practitioners, consultants and academics from across New Mexico. This will be held November 12-15th at the Sagebrush Inn in Taos.


2025 AASHTO Annual Meeting & Expo

This conference brings together experts to share the latest in industry policy and innovation. Salt Lake City, November 17-20, 2025.

 

At NCNMEDD



SAFE STREETS & ROADS for ALL: If your entity has a transportation safety issue that you would like to see addressed under the imminent Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, please contact Patrick Million or 505-356-9694.



The New Mexico Department of Transportation requests your feedback regarding the non-metropolitan cooperative planning process. This SURVEY is intended for staff and elected officials of Tribal/Local Public Agencies (T/LPAs) in nonmetropolitan areas of New Mexico. Your input is much appreciated by the NMDOT.

State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration News

The New Mexico Infrastructure Planning and Development Division of the Department of Finance and Administration is offering several new services to local public bodies and tribes.


Welcome to CAPS: The Capital Project System. The system is now available for all local public bodies and state agencies. This new system streamlines access for entities to submit their ICIPs, complete capital appropriation reporting, and provides access for capital navigation assistance. For more information; trainings available on the new system; open office hours; guidelines and instructions go here.


Capital Connect Hub: is a monthly training series designed to foster a community of practice for public sector professionals working on capital infrastructure projects. The Capital Connect Hub meets the 4th Monday of every month at 2:30. Register here to receive the meeting invitation.


Funding Navigation: is a comprehensive process to help state agencies, local governing bodies, and other public entities secure the financial resources required for their capital projects. Entities begin by submitting a detailed Funding Navigation Questionnaire. This form captures essential project information.


The New Mexico Match Fund received an initial appropriation of $75 million. It is an initiative aimed at amplifying federal funding opportunities for key projects in New Mexico. Click here to be directed to the grant program page.


For more detail on these new offerings go here.


Small Business Opportunities, Events, and Trainings

The Outdoor Recreation Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department presents:


"Adventure Pitch Fest"


This event will be at the RailYards in Albuquerque on November 6, 2025. The event, celebrating the state’s $3.2 billion outdoor recreation economy, is being held in partnership with ActivateNM.


Attendees will explore product demonstrations, meet the entrepreneurs behind the brands and enjoy outdoor-themed activities. Whether you’re a trail runner, paddler, gear enthusiast or curious newcomer, the free event offers a chance to discover and support outdoor recreation businesses from across New Mexico. For more information, tickets, and applications, visit Adventure-Pitch-Fest.

New Mexico Healthy Food Grant Open Now

Health Food Finance Fund










































The New Mexico Healthy Food Financing Fund is accepting applications to invest in food retailers, food processors, food hubs/distributors, and climate- smart pre-production projects.

 

Grants of up to $150,000 are available for shovel-ready projects that:

·       Expand food access in under-resourced communities;

·       Create and retain food/ag supply chain jobs;

·       Strengthen local market access for small and mid-scale producers;

·       Improve storage, aggregation, and distribution networks; and

·       Support regenerative agricultural practices.

 

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT, on November 19, 2025.

 

The application form is available here.


Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund


Attention non-profit and for-profit businesses! Want to reduce your utility bills/expenses for buildings you own or operate? Improve your building’s performance? Reduce your building’s emissions and operating expenses? Help your community become more resilient?

The Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Division (EMNRD) has received over $5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to create a loan program and has partnered with the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) to offer low-cost loans to eligible commercial entities for energy efficiency upgrades. LEARN MORE.


More Small Business Resources:


  • NM Small Business Development Center: November sessions include Introduction to Government Contracting (November 18).
  • Small Business Administration November Journeys include Strategic Marketing, and Business Financial Strategies, and Access to Capital.
  • New Mexico SCORE Webinars: November trainings include Turn Social Media into Revenue (November 6), Turn Your Expertise into Income (November 12), Expert Website Review (November 18).
  • WESST: November classes include Holiday Marketing Series on November 11, Money Making Momentum on November 14, and Relationships and Networks for your business growth on November 19.


Grant and Funding Opportunities

 

NCNMEDD continues the grant writing and technical assistance program funded by North Central New Mexico Legislators. Read about the program here and request grant writing assistance by contacting Felicity Fonseca, reachable by phone at 505-356-9098.

EDA Disaster Supplemental 2025, Ongoing.

To address economic challenges in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued.


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.


U.S. Bank Community Possible Play Grants, Rolling Deadline.

These grants help communities preserve outdoor places to play.


Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Deadline: Work with DHSEM.

Provides supplemental grants to communities to quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.


NMEDD Healthy Food Financing Fund. Deadline November 19, 2025.

HFFF is accepting applications to invest in food retailers, food processors, food hubs/distributors, and climate- smart pre-production projects.


HUD Indian Community Development Block Grant, Deadline November 24, 2025.

This program is for the development of housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities primarily for persons of low-and moderate-incomes in Native nations.


USDA Farm and Nutrition Program Farm to School Program, Deadline December 5, 2025. The FY 2026 Farm to School Grant Program aims to improve access to local foods in Child Nutrition Program (CNP) sites. Funding for incorporating locally grown and minimally processed foods into school meals, strengthening producer readiness and food safety practices, addressing distribution challenges, enhancing infrastructure for local menu items, and expanding experiential and educational opportunities through school gardens, farmers markets, and curriculum integration.


NMEDD Creative Industries Business Development and Expansion Grant, Deadline December 26, 2025.

For inventory, equipment, marketing, promotion, digital presence, infrastructure and technology for specific businesses based on NAICS codes. Awards are up to $25,000. Governments must collaborate with local non-profits or small businesses to be eligible for this grant.

 

FHA Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund - Deadline January 15, 2026.

TTP funds are set aside to address transportation safety issues through a competitive discretionary program.


HUD Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive Program, Deadline January 15, 2026. This block grant provides competitive grant opportunities to eligible IHBG formula recipients under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) to carry out eligible affordable housing activities for the benefit of low-income Tribal families.


NMEDD ORD Trails +, Deadline January 31, 2026.

This is a statewide initiative by the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division that invests in trails and outdoor infrastructure.


NMEDD ORD New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund, Deadline January 31, 2026.

This Fund, available from the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division aims to break down barriers and ensure equitable access to the outdoors for all youth in New Mexico.


DOI - Bureau of Reclamation Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects (Small Storage Program). Deadline April 17, 2026.

Up to a 25% federal cost-share for the planning, design, or construction of surface and groundwater storage projects with capacities between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet.


Connect New Mexico Community Connect Reimbursement Grant Program. Deadline to request reimbursement June 30, 2026 or until funding runs out. The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will award financial assistance grants for the roll-out or expansion of Public Wi-Fi in New Mexico Communities. $7 million available in this grant funding pool. This grant targets communities with poor levels of connectivity and digital inclusion to provide them with sustainable, place-based solutions that meet community needs.

​The program is a reimbursement grant.


Work with NCNMEDD!

See our Contract and Employment Opportunities.