In this issue:

Bottled Water for Schools program open to eligible schools

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) is administering the statewide Bottled Water for Schools Program funded through the California State Water Board’s “Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund.” The funding covers purchase and delivery of bottled drinking water for schools, in five-gallon containers, as well as dispensers and cups. Read more

Backup generators invaluable during crises

Utilities in Lake County, California, have proven resilient in the face of adversity during the past several years. Wildfires have consistently posed the largest, but not the sole, threat. The summer of 2019 marked the first Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), creating a new set of challenges for small water systems. Read more

RCAC Loan Fund lends more than $23 million to rural communities

West Sacramento, Calif. — During the quarter ending June 30, 2020, RCAC closed 94 loans, which totaled $23,590,943 in 11 states. The loans funded 79 housing units; 22,106 feet of community facility space; 406 individual water and wastewater connections for rural citizens; and created or retained 1,463 jobs. RCAC has provided $9,277,006 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to 98 borrowers. Read more

Brian Phillips honored with John Squires Hall of Fame Award

RCAC Regional Manager Brian Phillips was honored with the John Squires Hall of Fame Award posthumously on August 19 during the 2020 Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) Conference. RCAP presents the award in recognition of the incredible work done on behalf of rural communities across the country by an RCAP network member. Brian was a beloved RCAC team/family member and served as regional manager for environmental programs in California and Nevada for nearly 20 years. He passed away in 2019 after a 12-year battle with cancer. The award honors John Squires, who served as the executive director of CSG from 1975 – 2014. #RCAPConference2020

Biomass Utilization Fund

The Biomass Utilization Fund (BUF) was allocated $17 million in federal funds to help finance new or expanding businesses located or locating in Tuolumne County that are capable of using the available biomass from the surrounding forests and provide an alternative to pile burning of forest waste. California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) partnered with Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) to lead the effort to establish a new Biomass Utilization Fund to encourage the use of forest biomass and increase community and forest resilience. HCD and SNC have entered into an agreement with RCAC to manage the Biomass Utilization Fund. Learn more about the fund and apply!

Workshop Highlights

TDHE board of commissioners’ roles and responsibilities (online)

September 1 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Pacific time)

This training is designed for Tribally Designated Housing Authority’s (TDHE) Board of Commissioners members. Learn more about board member roles and responsibilities as a governing body. The course will help commissioners to effectively and efficiently govern their TDHE in compliance with local Tribal ordinances along with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Register HERE

Asset Management for Arizona Series 1 of 3 (online)

Asset Management Plan is a three-part series. For maximum effectiveness we recommend taking all three parts.

September 14 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Mountain time)

Session 1:  Introduction to Asset Management – This session will assess participant knowledge and needs and explore key asset management concepts.

Register HERE