Investments will help more than 425,000 People in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged rural areas including six communities in New Mexico
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department is investing $86 million to improve equitable access to jobs, business opportunities, education, housing and health care for people who live and work in rural areas. The investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensure that people living in rural communities have equitable access to the infrastructure and opportunities often taken for granted by people living in urban and suburban areas.
“Regardless of where they live, their race, ethnicity or gender, or the size of the town in which they live, all people must have access to decent housing, clean water and good job opportunities,” Vilsack said. “This is foundational to a healthy society and stable communities. Today’s announcements build on the historic investments made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law by President Biden to ensure equity during a time when people living in underserved places are suffering the most. These investments will go a long way toward helping America ‘Build Back Better’ toward a just and more equitable society.”
USDA Rural Development State Director Patricia Dominguez added, “I agree with Secretary Vilsack the projects announced today in New Mexico will provide better health through clean water and to give better education opportunities. The variety of these projects show our dedication to make our rural neighbors lives better here in New Mexico.”
The projects in New Mexico named in this news release are as follows:
Tribal College Initiative Grants
• Navajo Technical University (NTU) in Crownpoint, N.M. received a grant in the amount of $175,448 to purchase three passenger vans and a four-door sedan. The vehicles will be used to provide service to students and staff to complete their studies and work. NTU provides science and technology curriculum and provides state-of-art technology to the Navajo Nation based upon the Dine culture and traditions.
• The Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA) an educational institution located near Santa Fe, N.M. received a grant in the amount of $175,448 to purchase solar panels to be installed at the school’s Center for Lifelong Education building. IAIA is a member of the Climate Action Task Force and the installation of the solar panels will help reduce their carbon footprint by decreasing their electricity consumption and meeting their goal to improve the environment. IAIA is a national center of research, and training for Native Americans who are interested in Native art and culture.
Housing Preservation Grants
• Rebuilding Together Sandoval County a non-profit organization in Placitas, N.M. received a $174,595 grant to provide necessary critical home repairs and disability modifications for low-income homeowners. The funds will be used to make these repairs to homes in Sandoval County. The work will improve housing instability by fixing and replacing home health and safety hazards. The home modifications include replacement or repair of roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, drywall, flooring, windows, and doors. Also, some homes will be modified to become handicapped accessible to reduce the risk of injury.
Water and Waste Disposal Grant Program
• The Pueblo of Laguna received a $1,768,000 to modify an existing lagoon wastewater system with an additional lagoon cell in Mesita Village located within the Pueblo. The project will also replace failing septic systems and leach fields. The current wastewater system is expensive to maintain and presents potential health risk to those residents living in Mesita Village. This project will also bring the system into compliance with health and safety environmental codes.
• City of Lordsburg received a loan/grant package in the amount of $10,874,000 to complete the second phase of construction for the new water system being built. The upgrade is necessary to comply with the most recent administrative compliance order issued by the New Mexico Environmental Department Drinking Water Bureau. The order mandates better service and quality of water to the citizens of Lordsburg. The construction project will include the replacement of old water lines and installation of new fire hydrants. The system will also address inadequate and provide better water treatment and fluoride removal.
• The Pueblo of San Ildefonso is receiving a $1,933,000 grant to build and extend sewer services in this northern New Mexico community. These services will provide additional connections for 34 homes and will add five additional connections for Tribal facilities in the Pueblo Center and the Pueblo South area. The residents being served with the upgraded sewer system are currently using severely outdated septic system. The funds will be used to demolish and lay new sewer lines, including cleanouts. When construction is completed the new system will eliminate health and sanitary concerns.
Background:
Vilsack highlighted 218 investments that USDA is making in six programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs include Tribal College Initiative Grants, Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, Housing Preservation Grants, Delta Health Care Grants, Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants and Water and Waste Disposal Grants.
The funding will help more than 425,000 people in 46 states, Puerto Rico, and the Western Pacific. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure, and social service needs. It will help low-income people make health and safety repairs to their homes. It will help build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure for people living in U.S. communities along the Mexico border. It will help rural business owners in the Mississippi Delta get access to capital and business development assistance. It also will help colleges that serve Tribal populations upgrade campus buildings and services.
The timing of the financial support for the Navajo Technical College, Institute of American Indian Art, Pueblo of Laguna, and the Pueblo of San Ildefonso here in New Mexico coincides with Native American Heritage Month, which is celebrated every November to highlight the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, contributions, and histories of Native people. It helps raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people face, and the ways in which Tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
The 218 awards Secretary Vilsack announced today are being made in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. USDA Rural Development is prioritizing projects that will support key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help rural America build back better and stronger. Key priorities include combating the COVID-19 pandemic; addressing the impacts of climate change; and advancing equity in rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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