In this issue:

Lebec County Water District

Lebec is a small, unincorporated, financially disadvantaged community in Kern County, California, of about 1,500. The community is a popular stop for food, fuel and rest for travelers passing through the Grapevine, a mountain pass north of Los Angeles. Lebec County Water District (LCWD) is a small utility that provides potable and non-potable water to 227 residential service connections and 52 commercial service connections. Read more

 

New Cuyama, California

The Cuyama Valley is a remote, rural region in unincorporated Santa Barbara County, California, located at the intersection of Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The valley is home to approximately 1,100 people, the majority of whom are Hispanic or Latino/a. HUD classifies 81 percent of residents as low-income. The valley is a 300-square-mile area surrounded by public land that is cut off by the surrounding mountains from most social, economic and public health opportunities in the closest urban centers. Read more

 

Household Water Well & Septic System Loan/Grant Programs

RCAC provides low interest rate loans and grants to assist individual households in the refurbishing, replacement or construction of a household water well or septic system. If you are interested, please download our program flyer and submit a loan application. RCAC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). About RCAC’s Loan Fund

 

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!

 

Training highlights

Regional Solutions Symposium

May 10, 2022 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Pacific Time)

Location:
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (corporate office)
3120 Freeboard Boulevard, Suite #201, Stan Keasling Room
West Sacramento, California 95691

Part 1: Logistics of Regional Partnerships

Small water systems must meet the same regulations as large water systems without the economies of scale enjoyed by larger systems. Likewise, private well owners are stuck shouldering the operations and maintenance cost of their water equipment all on their own. The challenges of maintaining safe water quality, whether you are regulated or not, are not only expensive, but can be life threatening. Join us for an open discussion of how regionalization of drinking water utilities and private well communities has allowed for increased sustainability.

Part 2: Regional Solutions to Complex Problems: Compliance, Eligibility and Timelines

RCAC staff specialists and guest speakers will comprise a panel to discuss the future of small water systems in California and how the Waterboards are supporting public water systems who are willing to explore regional solutions. A Question-and-Answer session will be provided for attendees to address the panel.

Register Here

For questions about registration, please email RCAC Events at registration@rcac.org or call (916) 447-9832 ext. 1429.

 

Housing Counseling training opportunities

Here are our new training opportunities for the months of May and June. They are designed for housing counselors who are working with first time homebuyers, foreclosure, credit/budgeting and student loan issues. We also offer study classes for those trying to pass the HUD Certification Exam. Please feel free to join us or refer others who are doing this type of work.

May 2 – 4: Credit & Budgeting Counseling Post COVID (2-Part Series)
May 31 – June 16: Core Competencies for HUD Certification (7-Part Series)
June 20: Study Group (2-Part Series)

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

Network News is funded by: RCAC’s Loan Fund and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

RCAC is the western RCAP partner.