In this issue:

How RCAC’s RELieF program helped two small businesses recover from their lost summer

In summer 2020, small business owner Michael Blecha had to take a hard look at his business, Kinnon Entertainment. The concert production industry was poised to have its best year ever just a few months earlier. More than 600 venues booked Kinnon through December—a record-breaking year for Blecha. Read more

Newly created Vector Fund leverages $20 million MacKenzie Scott grant to deepen RCAC’s impact in Indigenous and rural communities

West Sacramento, Calif. – Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) recently formed the Vector Fund to house its game-changing $20 million MacKenzie Scott grant, awarded in late 2020. With the $20 million initial investment RCAC will create and implement initiatives that deepen and/or expand RCAC’s impact in Indigenous and rural communities, including increased access to safe drinking water, decent and affordable housing, financial resources and economic stability. Read more

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!

Celebrating 30+ years of lending

RCAC provides financing for affordable housing, environmental infrastructure, community facilities or small businesses. Our rates are competitive, our staff is easy to work with and they provide quick turnaround on applications. Give us a call to discuss your project in detail and download our programs and rates at-a-glance flyer. RCAC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

Training highlights

FREE small business networking and training webinar series offered to rural entrepreneurs and start-ups

RCAC with support from Rural LISC and Capital One, will launch the Western Rural Start-Up Network to offer a free small business coaching and networking webinar series for rural and Native entrepreneurs across the American West. This four-part innovative and action-driven series will allow entrepreneurs to make meaningful connections with other small businesses, explore opportunities for growth, and build their network.

The ONLINE series will take place every other Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. beginning August 11. The four sessions will focus on: Mapping Opportunity and Demand in Your Community; E Commerce: Reaching New Markets; Main Street: Where’d It Go? How Do We Get It Back? And Money: Where to Find It.

For more information and registration for the sessions go HERE or contact RCAC’s Building Rural Economies team at BusinessCoaching@rcac.org.

Understanding Bacteriological Quality Standards (California)

August 4 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Pacific Time)

Location: ONLINE

Participants will learn the importance of total coliform as an indicator of water quality, compliance with California state and federal bacteriological quality monitoring and reporting regulations, public notification requirements and triggers and follow-up for Level 1 and Level 2 assessments. The recommended audience includes new operators and managers, and anyone interested in understanding bacteriological standards for public water systems. Register here

Drought Contingency Planning and Water Conservation (California)

August 4 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Pacific Time)

Location: ONLINE

Participants will learn where to find climate information; how to determine triggers for different drought stages; best practices to reduce water use, making water conservation a way of life in your community; how to develop a drought management plan and obtain public buy-in; and tools and resources to keep up with current and new regulations. The recommended audience includes operators, managers and elected officials. Register here