Non-metro AAA’s Director for the past 3 ½ years, Neil Segotta, retired effective November 18th, and the new Director, Daniel Osborn, started on November 3rd, affording some much-needed overlap in time for Mr. Osborn to become acclimated to his new position within NMAAA. We wish Neil success and relaxation as he begins a new chapter of his life playing more golf and spoiling his many grandchildren. The staff of both NCNMEDD and NMAAA thank Neil for his leadership and insight as we being a new chapter under new AAA leadership.

On November 13, 2025, the NMAAA hosted the 2nd annual Non-metro AAA “Senior Difference, Santa Fe” senior and older adults health fair. With over 25 vendors and well over a hundred participants, the event was a huge success. A special thanks to Amanda Martinez, Jessica James, Erin Carlisle, Sandra Sosa, Constance Hutcheson and Joe Herrera and the rest of the NMAAA team for their efforts in putting on such a successful event. There was lots of information for our seniors along with good food and live music.



The Village of Wagon Mound held a grand opening of their new Senior Center on Friday, November 21st. The center, which has been open since mid-summer 2025, was officially opened and recognized as a valuable resource for our Seniors in Wagon Mound and the surrounding area. The staff at the new center prepared a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving meal that was both delicious and plentiful.

Clockwise below, Wagon Mound Mayor Andres Martinez and NMAAA's Neil Segotta; Wagon Mound Senior Cook; participants at the Senior Health Fair; NCNMEDD's Santiago Chavez and Joe Herrera.

Carey Gentles is NCNMEDD's new Disaster Recovery Coordinator for San Miguel and Mora counties. Please welcome him the NCNMEDD's Community Development Team. Since starting, Carey has hit the ground running with many different projects. These include: FEMA Public Assistance Coordination for Documentation and Project Formulation; the Acequia Support Initiative to provide administrative support to over 30 acequias; reviewing County Hazard Mitigation Plans; and Water Testing & Rural Utility Assistance.

In addition, Carey is working with local Mutual Domestic Water Consumer Associations (MDWCAs) in Mora County and surrounding regions to incorporate their systems into their counties’ Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMPs) as well as address the recent findings about water contamination related to fire suppressing chemicals. This work ensures they are eligible for federal funding and technical assistance. Carey is helping several MDWCAs apply for generator grants that would provide critical backup power during outages strengthening community resilience and emergency preparedness.

For more information email Carey or call him at (954) 907-5516. Pictured above, a recent Mora Water Alliance meeting. The Water Alliance is an association of mutual domestic water consumer associations.

From the Transportation Desk at NCNMEDD

On November 12 and 19, 2025, NCNMEDD convened and co-convened transit rating and ranking meetings for both RTPOs NCNMEDD serves. A total of 12 transit projects were presented between the Northern Pueblos and the Northeast RTPOs. This represents several million dollars of projects that provide valuable transit service to many citizens of northern New Mexico. Congratulations to all participants and a special thanks to both memberships for participating in this crucial stage of the process.

Professional Development:

Paving and Transportation Conference

The 61^st Annual Paving and Transportation Conference will happen in Albuquerque January 6-8, 2026 at the Marriot Pyramid in Albuquerque.

NMDOT Developing Active Transportation Plan

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is developing its first-ever Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to guide future pedestrian and bicycle improvements on state-owned roads. They need your input to better understand and respond to the needs of people who walk, bike, and roll in New Mexico.

Please share your perspectives via this public survey (English / Spanish) and spread the word! The survey will be open until January 15, 2026.

More information about the NMDOT ATP may be found at https://active-transportation-plan-nmdot.hub.arcgis.com/. I've also attached a flyer (in English and Spanish) that you can share with your member entities and broader networks.

Please direct any comments or questions to DOT-ActiveTransportationPlan@dot.nm.gov. 

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.

Small Business Resources

• NM Small Business Development Center: December sessions include Strengthening Small Business Cybersecurity (December 12); .
• Small Business Administration: December Journeys include Strategic Marketing, Business Financial Strategies, and Access to Capital.
• New Mexico SCORE Webinars: December trainings include Business Law and Related Tax Topics (December 8), Small Business Success (December 13), Converting Website Visitors into Buyers (December 15).
• WESST: December classes include New Client Orientation and Startup on December 10, and Marketing and Networking on the Rez on December 10.

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.

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 FY25 Continuum of Care Program and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Grant Program, Deadline January 14, 2026.

To promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and youth homelessness and re-house individuals.

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.

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative. Deadline for partnering with this project is February 2026. Applications are due March 12, 2026. CSCI awards provide funding and technical assistance to advance community based climate resilience in US communities or regions that are highly vulnerable to climate change.

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.