In this issue:

Major Market makes triumphant return to Zuni Pueblo

On the Zuni Tribe Reservation in New Mexico, a construction project that was years in the making is near completion. A Zuni family will own and operate Major Market, a local marketplace. About 85 percent complete, the market will open in June “no matter what” according to the owner, Darrell Tsabetsaye. Read more

Wells Fargo Foundation grant helps keep vulnerable communities housed

West Sacramento, Calif. — Wells Fargo Foundation granted $400,000 to Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to fund tools and training, and to support housing counseling needed to assist renters and homeowners to stay in their homes. RCAC is among several national nonprofit housing intermediaries that received grants from the Wells Fargo Foundation to support local housing counselors and nonprofit housing providers to create housing stability for more than 100,000 renters and homeowners across the U.S. Read more

Rural Rental Insecurity Program

COVID-19 rental relief • Funding Notice • Round 1

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) secured grant funding to finance emergency rental assistance programs established in response to the unforeseen increase in renters’ financial hardship caused by COVID-19. Applicants must be either a Housing Authority, Tribal Housing Authority, local government or Community Action (CAP) Agency. Download the flyer and application

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

PPP authorizes up to $659 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. All loan terms will be the same for everyone. The loan amounts will be forgiven as long as: The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the eight-week period after the loan is made; and employee and compensation levels are maintained. RCAC is accepting and processing applications

RCAC Loan Fund lends more than $35 million to rural communities

West Sacramento, Calif. — In the quarter ending March 31, 2020, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) closed 16 loans which totaled $35,171,466 in six states. The loans supported two water and wastewater connections for rural citizens, 177 housing units, 39,254 feet of community facility space, and created or retained 411 jobs. Read more

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

Building Financial Capacity for Water and Wastewater Systems in Idaho

June 20 | Part 1: 10 – 12 pm Part 2: 1 – 3 pm — Online

Building Financial Capacity is an online two-part series webinar developed for individuals who are involved in operating and managing their water and wastewater systems.  This course will provide attendees with valuable skills to help them optimize their systems operational and financial resiliency through short- and long-term planning. It is recommended to take both parts on same day.

Register here >>

Check out our training calendar here >>