In this issue:
RCAC Interview
Patricia Dominguez, New Mexico USDA Rural Development Director
In this issue, we speak with Patricia Dominguez, USDA-RD State Director for New Mexico.
A native of rural Peñasco in northern New Mexico, Dominguez brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the rural Southwest to her role. After earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Mexico, she embarked on a career in public service, holding various state and county government positions. Her dedication to rural development was further honed during her tenure on the congressional staff for U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Martin Heinrich, where she was deeply involved in policies and initiatives critical to rural northern New Mexico.
Before her appointment as New Mexico’s Rural Development State Director in 2021, Dominguez served as a field representative in Sen. Heinrich’s Santa Fe office….
Read our interview with Patricia Dominguez
Learn more about our work in New Mexico:
Canjilon: RCAC bolsters New Mexico village’s push for water security
Perched atop a mesa in northern New Mexico’s Rio Arriba County, the small village of Canjilon is a living testament to the deep-rooted heritage of its community. Home to nearly 300 residents, primarily of Hispano and Indigenous descent, Canjilon’s roots stretch thousands of years, during which the Pueblo, Apache, and Navajo peoples have called the surrounding lands home….
Read more about Canjilon
Quintana’s Music Center
The Quintana couple’s story began in New Mexico’s heavy metal scene of the 1990s. Rhonda sang for local bands while Ryan was a guitarist who briefly owned a music store before closing it to help run his father’s Native American jewelry business. Their shared passion for music undoubtedly played a significant role in their future, but the couple had no idea of the immense impact it would have on their hometown….
Read more about Quintana’s Music Center
Over The Moon Indigenous Food Truck
In 2019, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) provided the Native American Business Development: A Journey (NABDAJ) training to tribal entrepreneurs from three of New Mexico’s Indigenous pueblos, which often face persistent poverty. The William K. Kellogg Foundation provided the funding for NABDAJ. Following her participation in NABDAJ, Pueblo de Cochiti tribal member Melinda Arquero launched Over The Moon Indigenous Food Truck….
Read more about Over the Moon
Desertaire Water Company
Desertaire Water Company is a small community water system in Sierra County, New Mexico, located in a 16-acre subdivision near Elephant Butte on the Rio Grande, about 60 miles from Las Cruces. There are 30 households in the community and most residents are retired or live on fixed incomes….
Read more about Desertaire Water Company
Training highlights
Click here to see our full Training Calendar.
For questions about event registration, please email registration@rcac.org or call (916) 447-9832 ext. 1429.
CalTAP Fair: Central Valley Groundwater Management (California)
March 14, 2024 | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM Pacific Time
Wyndham Garden Fresno Yosemite Airport, Fresno, California
Join us and learn about the California Technical Assistance Providers (CalTAP) programs, funded by the California State Water Resources Control Board. These programs provide onsite technical assistance and free workshops, as well as many other resources, for water professionals throughout California…
Technical, managerial and combined tracks available.
Read more and register here
Essentials of Nevada State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) Applications (Nevada)
March 19, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time
Mineral County Public Library, Hawthorne, Nevada
Are you overwhelmed with the prospect of starting and/or completing a Nevada State Revolving Fund application for financing projects on your water system? Not sure where to start or what documentation you’ll need? Join RCAC trainers and Small Utility Consultants….
Read more and register here
Consumer Confidence Reporting (Oregon)
March 28, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Online
How do you inform your consumers about the quality of their local drinking water? The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that all community water systems submit a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to their customers by July 1st of each year. This annual report holds the water system accountable by reporting compliance successes and failures to water consumers….
Read more and register here
Affordable Housing Loan Program
RCAC financing helps developers build single and multifamily affordable housing units for low-income families. RCAC’s housing loans allow for short-term acquisition, pre-development, site development and construction of single and multifamily affordable housing. If you are interested, please download our program flyer and learn more about loan application requirements. RCAC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Learn more and apply here
Looking for a new and exciting career path?
Join our passionate team and make a difference in rural communities throughout the West! We work in diverse and low-income communities to increase access to affordable housing and safe drinking water, promote economic opportunity and job creation, and provide financing for community and economic development projects.
Apply here
Network News, published monthly, is a compilation of timely news, announcements and accomplishments produced for the rural development world at no cost to subscribers. We encourage correspondence and welcome contributions. Subscribe here
Chief Executive Officer: Suzanne Anarde
Executive Editor: Dawn Van Dyke
Managing Editor: Blivion Xanouvong
Network News is funded by: RCAC’s Loan Fund and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
RCAC is the western RCAP partner.
RCAC is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.