Monthly Newsletter January 2023


Message from the Executive Director


Happy New Year! 2023 is off to a fast start with the 60-day New Mexico Legislative Session beginning on January 17. Thank you to all the communities and entities that participated in our virtual capital outlay training on January 4 to prepare for the session. It was good to see such a large and diverse group.


Hot off the press--the Senate Finance Committee is holding hearings in January regarding capital outlay projects that have not been completed. If you have a project or projects on this list, please consider attending the hearing that applies to you. Hearings will be hybrid (State Capitol Room 322, with online link to be announced) and all will begin at 9 am. Please check our website for updated information.


Here is the hearing schedule:

1/19 – Status of Higher Education Capital Projects

1/23 – Status of State Agency Capital Projects

1/24 – Status of Major Local Capital Projects

1/25 – Status of Local Transportation Projects / Status of Senior

Center Projects

1/26 – Status of Tribal Capital Projects

1/27 – Status of Water Projects


As always, please stay in touch with any assistance you need during the Legislative Session.


Monica Abeita

EDA Receives Fiscal Year 23 Appropriation


For fiscal year 2023, "EDA will target investments in innovation and competitiveness with a regional and place-based focus, building on the examples set by EDA’s Build to Scale, Build Back Better Regional Challenge, and Good Jobs Challenge programs."


This year's appropriation will provide significant funding for Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs; infrastructure and other long-term economic recovery efforts for areas impacted by natural disasters in 2021 and 2022; and funding for EDA’s other Economic Development Assistance (EDAP) programs.


The allocations to New Mexico have not been determined yet. We will keep you posted!


Read more.

Outdoor Recreation Input Needed

Fly fishing

NM Outdoor Recreation Division wants your help to plan an outdoor recreation economy that’s right for our region and state. They are holding online stakeholder meetings for our region in January. Learn more and register here: 

https://publiclandsolutions.org/newmexicouplift/


If you hunt, fish, hike, camp, boat, bike, or bird watch, you are an outdoor recreationist! If your business depends on outdoor recreation, they want to hear from you! The initial meetings are virtual and will be followed by in-person meetings in February. 


Please consider sharing your input, and also distributing this info through your networks. They are especially interested in hearing from outdoor recreation users, small businesses, and elected officials. 

Outreach Sessions


Mora County

Register Here

January 17, 2023, 5:00pm


Colfax County

Register Here

January 18, 2023, 5:00pm


San Miguel County

Register Here

January 19, 2023, 5:00pm


Learn More and Join the Stakeholder List to attend future in-person sessions in the following counties: Rio Arriba, Taos, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Mora, Colfax, and San Miguel.

FCC Mapping Challenge Deadline 1/13/23

FCC maps showing where high speed internet is and is not available are inaccurate. Therefore, the FCC has invited the public to challenge information that is not accurate. In many cases in New Mexico, internet access is technically available, but the actual technology isn’t accurately reported or locations are misrepresented. LEARN MORE about how to check the map for your information, and challenge it if your information is incorrect.


For those who have a little more time, there is a MAP CHALLENGE TOOLKIT.

Small Business Resources for 2023

New Mexico leaders, whether in government or the private sector, recognize the value small businesses bring to the state. Dozens of entities offer tailored services to assist New Mexico businesses at every level of startup and growth.

 

From free consulting and skills-based workshops offered by WESST, to loans from locally-owned banks such as Century Bank, small businesses can get up and running rapidly. When a business is not yet ready for a traditional bank loan, it is referred to nonprofit lenders such as The Loan Fund, DreamSpring, LiftFund, RCAC, and Homewise, which offer support services to multiply the odds of business success.

 

Specialized assistance programs, such as those offered by New Mexico MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership), the NMSBA program, and the TRGR initiative, offer non-cash grants in the form of services that propel companies and products toward revenue and increased profits.

Local and Regional Events

Upcoming EPA Webinars


Technical Assistance for Energy Communities 3-Part webinar in January

Highlights federal and non-federal technical assistance opportunities to benefit energy communities.

REGISTER.


Charging Forward - Revitalizing Underutilized Sites into EV Charging Stations

Tuesday, January 24, 12p.m. MT

The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ICF, and East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) present on grant programs to transform underutilized and potentially contaminated sites into EV charging stations. 

REGISTER.


Tribal Energy Webinar Series: Federal Funding for Tribes

January 25, 3 PM (MT)

Learn about some of the current federal funding opportunities available for tribes and tribal energy projects.

REGISTER.


Tapping Into the Power of Utility-Scale Solar: State and Local Perspectives

January 31, 1 PM (MT) 

Join this webinar to learn about the strategic partnerships used by state and local governments to meet ambitious climate and energy goals through utility-scale solar investments.

REGISTER.

Brownfields 101: Nuts and Bolts of Brownfield Redevelopment

When: February 27 - March 3

This is a week-long digital training program on brownfields. UCLA and Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) specialists will guide practitioners through the phases of redevelopment from start to finish.

REGISTER.

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 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program (REAP), Applications accepted year round.

For small businesses and agricultural producers to make energy efficiency improvements.


NEH Cultural and Community Resilience, Deadline January 12.  

For community-based efforts to mitigate climate change and COVID-19 pandemic impacts, safeguard cultural resources, and foster cultural resilience through identifying, documenting, and/or collecting cultural heritage and community experience. Prioritizes projects from disadvantaged communities and encourages use of inclusive methodologies.


USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Pre-applications, Deadline January 12.

To support research and extension that address challenges in sustaining conventional and organic food production systems.


EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program, Deadline January 16.

To build and transform solid waste infrastructure.


NEH Climate Smart Humanities Programs, Deadline January 17.  

Awards up to $300,000 to support comprehensive assessment and strategic planning efforts by humanities organizations to mitigate physical and operational environmental impacts and adapt to a changing climate. Projects will result in climate action and adaptation planning documents or similar detailed assessments including prioritized, measurable actions and their expected outcomes.


HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Overdose Response, Deadline January 19. To address immediate needs in rural areas through improving access to, capacity for, and sustainability of prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorder (SUD).


Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Evaluation Deadline January 27.

To evaluate the impact of rural behavioral health strategies and methods employed under the RCORP initiative, and to develop evaluation tools and resources for use in rural communities to inform future community-led rural health initiatives.


FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.  Deadline January 27.

For states and tribes.  To reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. Local, non-tribal governments apply through NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM).


FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure in Communities Program, Deadline January 27.  

For states and tribes.  To undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. Local, non-tribal; governments apply through DHSEM.


USDA RUS Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants, Deadline January 31.

To enable and improve distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas and increase rural access to education, training, and health care resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in scope.


DOT FAA Airport Improvement Program Discretionary Grants, Deadline January 31.

For a wide range of eligible projects including airport improvements, planning, pavement, noise mitigation, emissions reductions, and more.


USDA NIFA Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grants Program, Deadline February 16.

To develop and implement food safety training, education, extension, outreach and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers.


USDA Rural Business Development Grant, Deadline February 28.

Supports training and technical assistance as well as construction and equipment.


DOT RAISE Program, Deadline February 28.

For freight and passenger transportation infrastructure and planning, giving priority to safety, environmental sustainability, mobility and community connectivity, and quality of life.  


NSF ExLENT Program, Deadline March 2 for pivots and beginning track applicants.  

Supports efforts to create immersive training opportunities that expose participants to career pathways in emerging technology fields like advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, semiconductors, and microelectronics. 


USDA TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Program, Deadline March 6.

To expand The Emergency Food Assistance Program's (TEFAP's) reach into remote, rural, Tribal, and/or low-income areas that are underserved by the program. For food banks, food pantries, and community organizations working in the emergency food network.


USDA RBCS Agriculture Innovation Center Grants Program, Deadline March 6.

To provide technical assistance to agricultural producers to market value-added agricultural products.


HRSA Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program, Deadline March 7.


2023 NAGPRA Consultation/Documentation Grants, Deadline March 10.

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


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

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


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; establish, increase, or expand materials management infrastructure; utilize funds for equipment and construction related costs as part of their implementation plans; and identify, establish, or improve end-markets for the use of recycled materials. 


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.


DE BIL Energy Improvements at Public K-12 School Facilities, Deadline April 21.

For energy improvements that result in direct reduction to school energy costs, increase energy efficiency, and lead to improvements in teacher and student health, including indoor air quality.

In Case You Missed it.....

New Mexico MainStreet Accepting Applications from Frontier & Native American Communities and Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Initiatives.

Apply by January 20, 2023.

Capital outlay request deadline is 3 pm on Thursday January 12, 2023. 

Submit your request here: Capital Outlay Web - New Mexico Legislature (nmlegis.gov)

For assistance with capital outlay requests, please contact Felicity Fonseca at felicityf@ncnmedd.com.



 See the slides from Michelle Jaschke's capital outlay training.

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.


USDA Rural Energy Savings Program, Ongoing.  

Loans to rural utilities and other companies that provide energy efficiency loans to qualified consumers to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures.


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.


Now Recruiting VISTA Volunteers Throughout the Region! 

AmeriCorps VISTA

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, felicityf@ncnmedd.com.  

Work with NCNMEDD! See our

Contract and Employment Opportunities.