Monthly Newsletter

March | 2022

Message from Executive Director Monica Abeita

Dear Partners,

With the 2022 Legislative Session behind us, I thank our north central legislators for their support of NCNMEDD. Pending approval of the state budget, we expect to receive House Bill Jr. funds to assist our communities with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) opportunities, otherwise known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Our first work in this area will be a virtual brownbag series, starting on Tuesday, March 8. Please find more information and the meeting link in this newsletter.

On February 22, we held our first webinar on housing. This forum provided an opportunity to learn about Employer Assisted Housing and approaches used by entities in southern Colorado. You can find the recording and webinar slides on our homepage at www.ncnmedd.com. Please look out for additional housing webinars in the coming months, including topics on housing basics and financing for local governments.

Thank you,

Monica Abeita, Executive Director

EDA Update

EDA is no longer accepting applications under the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation or the Indigenous Communities Opportunities.

EDA funding is now available through the Public Works Economic Adjustment Assistance Opportunity or PWEAA. EDA PWEAA projects lead to the creation and retention of jobs and increased private investment in economically distressed communities.

EDA also funds Planning and Local Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations.

Do you have an EDA project in mind? Reach out to Community Development Planner Felicity Fonseca to discuss your idea.

Save These Dates: Infrastructure and Agriculture

BIL/IIJA Brownbag Lunch, with NCNMEDD and Ellory Monks, co-founder of "The Atlas"

When: Mar 8, 2022 12:00 PM Mountain Time

How: Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96819413575?pwd=NU1XVmFiMnY3VXNmRUlKejN5U0M2dz09

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the US Infrastructure, Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) represents a once in a generation opportunity to address challenges and opportunities across our region. How do we turn information into actions our communities can take now?

In this series, NCNMEDD will share the latest guidance on how local governments can make the most of this unique opportunity.

For our kick-off session, Ellory Monks, co-founder of "The Atlas," will talk about their handbook for state & local government decision-makers: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: A Handbook for State and Local Government Leaders.

Additionally, we'll hear from people working in infrastructure about how local government leaders can prepare.

We invite you to join the conversation!

Inside NCNMEDD

$100 Million Statewide in Transportation Project Fund This Year

With more money available through the Transportation Project Fund, this is a good year to get your project funded! For information or assistance with this process, please contact Transportation Planner Paul Sittig, and you can review resources related to the Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation Project Fund (TPF) at the RTPO NM “Resources” webpage.

Local Government Road Fund Reminder: Submit your Local Government Road Fund applications to your NMDOT District contact by March 15. Contact Paul Sittig if you have any questions.

TPF Project Feasibility Forms: April 6, 2022 is the deadline for entities to submit Project Feasibility Forms (PFFs) to RTPO staff, who will review and track submittals and forward them to NMDOT District Staff.

Housing in North Central NM

NCNMEDD's Employer Assisted Housing Webinar was full of useful information about how to understand our housing crisis, and excellent examples of projects communities are undertaking to address the problem. If you missed the session, you can view the recording here, or take a look at the slides from the session here.

Plus, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) needs your input to help understand the housing issues throughout the state. Please take this short, 10-minute survey today: https://housingnm.org/advisory-committee-housing-strategy/resident-survey

Entrepreneurial Winners

Santa Fe-Based Parting Stone Wins Ski Lift Pitch

The 7^th annual Ski Lift Pitch event from Activate NM was held recently at Taos Ski Valley. This unique event offers startup entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch active investors during their ride up the slopes of one of the world’s top ski destinations. Parting Stone, a Santa Fe based startup that turns human and pet remains into decorative stones, joins an impressive list of previous winners who’ve earned investment and continue to grow. Read more at:

Parting Stone Wins Seventh Annual Ski Lift Pitch (ladailypost.com)

Santa Fe Innovates wraps-up Early Stage Program on the Outdoor Economy

Congratulations to Janice Krish and Jerard Vigil for being recognized as the Top Idea Winner and “Promising Idea” Runner Up respectively at the Santa Fe Innovates recent Idea Pitch event (2/26). For more about the event and its winners, visit:

Early-Stage Program on the Outdoor Economy Wraps up with Idea Pitch - Santa Fe Innovates | Business Accelerator in New Mexico

USDA Resources for Farmers

USDA Value Added Producer Grants help agricultural producers plan, create, and market new value added products. These grants require a 1:1 match. Last year, there were four awards in New Mexico: to 4A Packing in Las Cruces to create ready to eat chile relleno packs; to Bluefly Farms of Peralta for manufacturing, marketing, and labeling their lavender herbal sparkling water, to Jinglebob Land and Cattle in Anthony to add e-commerce to their website and for an advertising campaign about their grass-fed beef products, and to the New Mexico Wine and Grape Growers Association to create a "wine welcome center" for New Mexico Wineries.

Contact Zachary Frater at USDA with questions about this opportunity. Deadline April 25, 2022.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities!

New Mexico LEEP Info Session March 30th

New Mexico LEEP accelerates innovation with a two-year fellowship and additional support for businesses working on breakthrough technologies that could solve our nation’s toughest challenges.

Info at: Webinar Signup - NMLeep : NMLeep

NMDA seeks Agricultural Workforce Development (AWD) applications from ag businesses wanting to hire interns

Selected farm businesses receive financial support to hire and train interns. First-come, first serve applications, final deadline April 1, 2022. Find more info here.

Working Now Loans of up to $25,000 are available through NCNMEDD. Funds can be used to help businesses affected by the pandemic. Uses include but are not limited to payroll, rent, inventory, marketing, ecommerce development, equipment, and small capital improvements. Contact Christopher Madrid with questions.

Find more entrepreneurial and small business resources at WESST, NMSBDC, SCORE, and NMEDD.

NM Public Education Department and LANL Foundation release NM Comprehensive College and Career Pathways Report

There are a variety of efforts underway throughout our region to address our workforce needs. One initiative, the “Work Based Learning Coalition” is looking at ways to improve career and college readiness through access to career and technical education and work-based learning opportunities.

This new report by NM PED/LANL summarizes promising practices for career and technical education and work-based learning and makes recommendations for local level and tribal and state actions. Read the executive summary or full report.

Santa Fe Community College collaborates with Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) to offer a free environmental job training program at NNMC campus in Española

The New Mexico Environmental Workforce Job Training Program is a free five-week intensive training designed to prepare its graduates to enter the expanding environmental job market. An Environmental Protection Agency grant supports the program. Applications are open through March 23.

Apply at https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/environmental-job-training/ The five-week intensive training will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday March 28 to April 29 at NNMC in Española.

Grant and Funding Opportunities

Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant. Opens March 1, applicants encouraged to apply early! Two Tiers of funding for local and regional applicants; 2:1 match offered for rural entities.

EPA Innovative Water Technologies for Lagoon Wastewater Systems in Small Communities, Deadline March 7, 2022.

To accelerate innovative/alternative wastewater treatment technologies/infrastructure in lagoon/pond systems serving communities with populations less than 10,000.

Roswell Artist in Residency Program, Deadline March 15, 2022.

12 month residency with monthly stipend for studio based visual artists.

CDC Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country, Deadline March 16, 2022.

Four year cooperative agreement to improve physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and wellbeing within AI/AN communities.

HHS Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program, Deadline March 18, 2022.

For non-profits and governmental entities in rural areas.

AARP Community Challenge, Deadline March 22, 2022.

Contact Penelope Perryman of NCNMEDD/Non-Metro AAA for Technical Assistance for this opportunity. Small grants (generally $15,000 or less) to improve public spaces, housing, transportation and civic engagement; support diversity, equity and inclusion; build engagement for programs under new federal laws; and pursue innovative ideas that support people age 50 or older.

USDA Rural Energy for America Program, Deadline March 31, 2022.

Funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.

T-Mobile Hometown Grant Application, Deadline March 31, 2022.

Funding for community projects like revitalizing a town hall, a senior center, a local little league field, or any space where friends and neighbors gather. Ongoing quarterly deadlines.

USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, Deadline April 11, 2022.

To help eligible meat and poultry processors start up or expand capacity.

USDA Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Opportunities: Learn More.

EPA Pollution Prevention Grant, BIL Funding, Deadline April 11, 2022

EPA Pollution Prevention Grant, Regular Funding, Deadline April 11, 2022

American Trails, Trail Fund , Deadline April 15, 2022.

Awards of up to $15,000 for trail maintenance, research, and stewardship training.

USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grants , Deadline April 19, 2022. For rural jobs accelerator partnerships to create high wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, and help rural communities identify and maximize local assets.

USDA Rural Energy Pilot Program, Letters of Intent Due April 19, Deadline July 18, 2022.

For rural communities to further develop renewable energy, 20% match required.

DOJ Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program, Deadline April 19, 2022.

For intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault.

NEA Challenge America Grants, Deadline April 21, 2022.

$10,000 grants to small organizations to extend arts to underserved populations. Requires 1:1 match.

DOL Apprenticeship Building America Program, Deadline April 25, 2022.

To strengthen and modernize the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) system, centered on equity and promote Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce development solution.

Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects, Deadline April 28, 2022. Funding for small-scale on-the-ground water efficiency projects which seek to implement work identified in an applicant’s water planning efforts.

USDA Value Added Producer Grants, Deadline April 25, 2022.

1:1 match required. To help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to processing and marketing new products.