southwest new mexico council of governments the quarterly mentor
TRANSCRIPT
for a month, starting on March
19.
In March 2010, census forms
will be mailed to residents with
street addresses. Those with
post office boxes must pick
up their census form at a Be
Counted site. We plan to list
the Be Counted sites for the
southwest region in the next
issue of this newsletter.
The Council of Governments
has been working to identify
unincorporated areas as
“Census Designated places” so
that they will have data
available to them to submit to
potential funders. In this way,
they will not have to conduct
lengthy income surveys in their
communities for purposes of
obtaining federal or state
funding.
The U.S. government is
gearing up for the next
decennial census in 2010. The
census is required by law. It is
our goal in New Mexico to
assure an accurate count so that
New Mexico communities will
benefit.
Census information affects
apportionment of seats in the
U.S. House of Representatives,
redistricting, and distribution of
federal funds. Funding for
over 100 different federal
programs are affected by the
Census. These include funding
for hospitals, job training
centers, schools, senior centers,
emergency services and other
important local needs.
Counties and municipalities
provide active leadership by
participating in Census Count
Committees, some of which
are already in effect in the
region. Contact John Swap,
regional Census coordinator, at
575-358-2386 with questions
about the Census Count
Committee in your area.
The response rates in
southwestern New Mexico for
the last Census were 44% in
Catron County, 60% in Grant
County, 48% in Hidalgo
County, and 57% in Luna
County. Make 100%
participation your goal. The
2010 Census is a 10-question
form that can be quickly filled
out and returned by mail.
One factor affecting
participation is the fear of
disclosure of confidential
personal information. U.S.
code protects the
confidentiality of the
information provided and
violation of that privacy is
punishable by severe penalties.
Names, addresses, social
security numbers and
telephone numbers may not be
shared. All Census Bureau
employees take an oath of
nondisclosure and are sworn
for life to protect the
confidentiality of the data.
The majority of the country
will receive English-only
materials. Households in areas
with high concentrations of
Spanish-speaking residents
may receive a bilingual
(English/Spanish) form.
The Census Bureau is setting
up “Be Counted” sites for
people to go to for a
questionnaire if they feel they
were missed. Questionnaire
assistance centers will be open
It’s In Our Hands: 2010 Census
Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments
Fall 2009 Volume 2, Issue 1
The Quarterly Mentor
Inside this issue:
U.S. Census — 1
New logo — 2
Hurley recognizes
Jackson—2
Comprehensive
Economic Development
report — 2
Lordsburg opens new
city hall — 3
Unemployment report—
3
Southwest NM
Leadership Program
announced — 3
Grant opportunities—4
NMFA—5
SWNMCOG update—5
NMFA loan tools — 5
IMPORTANT
DATES
The next session of the
New Mexico State
Legislature will open on
January 19, 2009. It is a
30-day session.
CDBG Applications are
due December 18, 2009.
www.swnmcog.org
"Just like we can’t survive without roads and bridges, the country doesn’t function well without an updated Census to distribute funds to areas that most need them and to support com-munity decisions about their own future."
– Robert M. Groves, Director of the United States Census Bureau
Page 2
The Quarterly Mentor
comprehensive plans. Leaders in the
arts, agriculture, education, the
environment, housing and other fields
were interviewed for their input as to
major regional needs.
Goals include the need for vocational
and career training for youth, increasing
the stock of affordable housing, small
The Southwest New Mexico Council of
Governments submitted the
Comprehensive Economic Development
Strategy for 2010-2015 to the Economic
Development Administration this fall.
Major economic development goals reflect
those of member counties and
municipalities, mainly drawn from their
The Quarterly Mentor, a publication of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments
Council of Governments Approves New Logo
The Southwest New Mexico Council of
Governments approved a new logo design at
its November 5, 2009 meeting. The design
shows the four counties wreathed in sunlight
with the rays reaching across the region.
This is the first time that the Council has had a
logo. Previously, the outline of the four
counties was used.
Thanks to Blake Farley for all her time and
efforts in designing and meeting the goals of
Town of Hurley Mayor Ray Baca, Town
Councilors Gomez, Martinez and Maynes, and
fellow fire fighters recognized and thanked
retiring Fire Chief Jay Jackson for
his forty years of service recently.
Mr. Jackson started working for
the Hurley Fire Department in
1969. He was appointed as fire
chief in 1974. There was
standing room only at the Town
Hall meeting chambers when Mayor Baca
presented Mr. Jackson with a plaque recognizing
him for his outstanding service.
Hurley Honors Retiring Fire Chief
for Forty Years of Service
SWNMCOG transportation planner
Cynthia Stoehner and Deming Mayor
Andres Silva at Walk and Roll to
School Day in Deming on October 7.
Walk and Roll to School Day is part of
the Safe Routes to School program.
business recruitment and retention,
improvements to water and wastewater
systems, and more.
The “CEDS” report may be viewed online
at www.swnmcog.org.
All members and interested others are
invited to review the report and to offer
comments to [email protected].
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015
SWNMCOG staff and board for the
logo.
The City of Lordsburg proudly unveiled the new Arthur
Clark Smith City Hall at a ribbon cutting ceremony on
November 2, 2009. State Senator John Arthur Smith
and State Representative Rodolpho “Rudy” Martinez
were on hand to congratulate the City on its great
accomplishment, as well as Kathleen Herrera, wife of
the late Manny Herrera who also supported funding for
the much needed new building.
The City’s previous City Hall was built over 75 years
ago and had numerous problems,
including electrical, roofing, and
plumbing.
Jim Redford, a native of Lordsburg,
was the architect. Gentry Construction
from Alamogordo was the contractor.
The new City Hall was funded through
state legislative appropriations and the
City of Lordsburg totaling some
$1,035,000. It is more energy efficient,
has room for classroom training,
provides much needed additional space
for city employees, and ample parking
for citizen-customers.
Arthur Clark Smith is the longest
serving elected official to serve the City
of Lordsburg. He has served as mayor
for a total of 23 years, and before that
as councilor and mayor pro tem.
Congratulations to Lordsburg and to
Mayor Smith.
Arthur Clark Smith City Hall Opens in Lordsburg
Volume 2, Issue 1 www.swnmcog.org
Mayor Smith cuts the ribbon in the company of City
Councilors, Sen. Smith, Rep. Martinez, and Head Start
students.
New Mexico’s Department of Workforce
Solutions reported October 22, 2009 that New
Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment
rate was 7.7 percent in September 2009, still
less than the national unemployment rate of
9.8 percent. New Mexico’s over-the-year job
growth, comparing September 2009 with
September 2008 was negative 3.6 percent,
representing an over-the-year loss of 30,900
Community members interested in learning
leadership skills can enroll in the Southwest
New Mexico Leadership Program.
Sponsored by Western New Mexico
University in partnership with other
organizations, the course is designed to
challenge and prepare individuals from
diverse backgrounds to become influential
in the southwestern communities of New
Mexico.
Up to 18 participants will be selected. The
tuition is $500 per participant and some
scholarship support is available.
The application deadline is December 15,
2009. Among those serving on the
Advisory Committee for this year’s
program are Paul Nimick, Village of
Columbus, and Priscilla C. Lucero,
executive director, SWNMCOG.
For more information and to secure
an application, contact Dr. Kathie
Gilbert at 575-538-6348 or email her
State Senator Smith (top)and
State Representative Martinez
at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Below, the new Arthur Clark
Smith City Hall.
Southwest New Mexico Leadership Program inviting applications
jobs.
Unemployment rates in the region for
September 2009 were Catron County
8.1%; Grant 12.3%; Hidalgo 7.6%; and
Some Good News: Unemployment in New Mexico Below National Average
The Quarterly Mentor, a publication of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments
Page 4
Highway Safety Funds
The New Mexico Department of
Transportation has announced funding
availability under the High Safety
Improvement Program. Projects that
can be ready for bidding on or before
August 23, 2010 can be submitted for
consideration for the FY 2010 end of
year close-out. City streets, sidewalks,
bikeways, pedestrian trails, county
roads and tribal roads are eligible, as
well as state highways.
The deadline for applications is January
25, 2010. Submittals must first be sent
to the Southwest Regional Planning
Organization for review and approval.
Contact Cynthia Stoehner for details at
[email protected] or 388-1509.
New Mexico Historical
Records Advisory Board
Grant funds are available for
municipalities to preserve their records.
The New Mexico Historical Records
Advisory Board has awarded grants to
governments and nonprofits to help
preserve New Mexico records and
make them accessible to the public
since 1999. The Town of Silver City
has been the only recipient of these
funds in southwest New Mexico.
Grants may be used to preserve historic
documents, including microfilming and
digitizing records, purchase archival
supplies, repair old ledger books, hire
consultants to develop records
management programs, train employees
in records management, or hire part-
time or seasonal workers or contractors
for these purposes.
The maximum award amount is $8,500
with a 25% matching requirement that
may be cash or in-kind. Funding
guidelines, application forms and the
annual grant calendar are available
online at www.nmcpr.state.nm.us.
The application deadline is around
March 1st of each year. The New
Mexico Historical Records Advisory
Board typically funds 90% to 95% of
the applications that it receives each
year, so municipalities have an
excellent chance of receiving these
funds.
Environmental Education
Grants
The Grants Program sponsored by
EPA’s Environmental Education
Division, Office of Children’s Health
Protection and Environmental
Education, supports environmental
education projects that enhance the
public’s awareness, knowledge, and
skills to help people make informed
decisions that affect environmental
quality. EPA awards grants each
year based on funding appropriated
by Congress. Annual funding for the
program ranges between $2-$3
million. Most grants will be in the
$15,000 to $25,000 range.
The deadline for applying for a 2010
environmental education grant is
December 15, 2009. Go to http://
www.epa.gov/education/grants.html.
Health Impact Assessment
Demonstration Projects
The Health Impact Project, a
collaboration of the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation and The Pew
Charitable Trusts, is now accepting
proposals for health impact
assessment demonstration projects
(“HIAs”.) HIAs are a valuable
decision-making tool for
policymakers. HIAs take a flexible,
data-driven approach toward
identifying the health consequences
of new policies, and help develop
practical strategies to enhance their
health benefits and minimize adverse
effects.
The Health Impact Project will fund
government agencies, educational
institutions and nonprofit
organizations at the local, state and
tribal levels. Up to 15 HIA grants
will be awarded on a rolling basis
and will range from $25,000 to
$150,000 each.
Grantees will receive training,
mentoring and technical assistance
from the Health Impact Project and
leading HIA experts. Go to
www.healthimpactproject.org for
more information.
Environmental Justice Small
Grants Program
The purpose of EPA’s Environmental
Justice Small Grants Program is to
support and empower communities
that are working on local solutions to
local environmental and/or public
health issues.
This year’s grants will continue to aid
community projects and support the
EPA Administrator’s priorities of
improving air quality, managing
chemical risks, cleaning up
hazardous-waste disposal sites,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
and protecting America’s water.
The grant deadline is January 8,
2010. Go to www.epa.gov/
compliance/environmentaljustics/
grants/ej-smgrants.html for more
information.
Grant Opportunities
SWNMCOG is pleased to
welcome Deming Public
Schools to its membership.
At its November 5 meeting, the
SWNMCOG Board of
Directors approved a new logo.
Thanks to Blake Farley for her
design work on the logo.
Welcome to John Sutherland,
Jr., the new manager of Luna
County, and to newly elected
Luna County commissioner
Debra French.
Debra French was sworn in as
a Luna County Commissioner
on September 15, 2009. She
previously taught in the
Deming Public Schools.
John Sutherland, Jr. was hired
as Luna County Manager
earlier this year. Welcome to
both!
Aaron Sera has been named
as the community services
director for Luna County.
Gene Paulk who held that
position was hired to be
NMDOT’s Technical Support
Engineer and ARRA
coordinator.
SWNMCOG congratulates
Olga Morales-Sanchez on her
appointment to the U.S.
Environmental Protection
Agency National Drinking
Since 1994, the New Mexico Finance
Authority (NMFA) has financed
approximately 1,350 projects totaling
nearly $2 billion through its 15 programs.
NMFA has funded infrastructure and
equipment critical to southwest New
Mexico communities in such areas as
water and wastewater infrastructure, fire
protection and law enforcement, road
improvements, economic development,
and a variety of community facilities.
Legislative Authorization
NMFA invites communities to renew
their Legislative Authorization for
NMFA financing for all projects in
excess of $1 million. The authorization
is completely non-obligatory and carries
a three-year expiration. The following
projects must be specially authorized for
your community: equipment, building,
infrastructure, special assessment district,
public improvement district, refinancing,
general obligation, water rights, and land
acquisition. In order to be placed on the
NMFA Legislative Authorization Bill,
send a memorandum on your letterhead
requesting that your community be
placed on the list for the above referenced
projects care of: Matthew Jaramillo,
Director of Government Affairs, 207
Shelby Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501.
Planning Grants
Planning Grant funds are available to
qualifying entities for eligible planning
projects, including: PER(s), Water/
Wastewater Master Plans, Water/
Wastewater Feasibility Study, Economic
Development Master Plans, and
Economic Development Feasibility
Study.
Smart Money Initiative of the
Statewide Economic Development
Finance Act
The Smart Money Loan Participation
Program partners the NMFA with local
banks to help fund businesses that create
and retain jobs. These loans can be
blended with Small Business
Administration programs using low,
fixed interest rates and a single
application process.
For more information on these and other
NMFA tools, go to www.nmfa.net or call
Faviola Chavez at 505-992-9700 or John
Brooks at (505)
984-1454.
Page 5
The Quarterly Mentor, a publication of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments
Water Advisory Council’s
Climate Ready Water Utilities
Working Group . Ms. Morales
will represent the Rural
Community Assistance
Corporation in the working
group. “Ms. Morales brings a
strong knowledge of the
management and operations of
small utilities, expertise in the
delivery of effective training
programs, and in the
development of collaborative
measures to assist utilities,”
said Robert Stewart, Rural
Community Assistance
Partnership executive director.
SWNMCOG congratulates Jay
Jackson for 40 years of service
to the Town of Hurley.
Debra French
John Sutherland, Jr.
Notes from SWNMCOG . . .
New Mexico Finance Authority
P.O. Box 2157
Silver City, New Mexico 88062
Tel. 575-388-1509
Fax: 575-388-1500
E-mail: [email protected]
The Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments (SWNMCOG) is a regional
planning commission which serves government entities, soil and water conserva-
tion districts, school systems, and a rural conservation district in Catron, Grant,
Hidalgo and Luna Counties. The purpose of SWNMCOG is to help is members
improve the life of people in southwestern New Mexico by securing funding and
partnerships for community and economic development, transportation, housing,
and other infrastructure needs.
Priscilla C. Lucero, executive director
Pam Eley, office manager and planner
Gloria Terrazas-Barnes, economic/community development planner
Cynthia Stoehner, transportation planner
Maureen Craig, community development planner
Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments
Serving Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties
Newsletter editor, Maureen Craig
We’re on the Web!
www.swnmcog.org
SWNMCOG
P.O. Box 2157
Silver City, NM 88062