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….

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….

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….

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….

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….

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.

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….

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….

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).

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.