In this issue:

A week in the lives of Hawaii circuit riders

Join Angela Hengel, regional field manager, for a firsthand look at how Hawaii circuit riders work with small water systems to provide safe water in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Circuit rider programs are unique in RCAC’s world. Unlike project based technical assistance programs, the circuit rider program employs a team of locally based circuit riders that travel from community to community to target work one-on-one with local utility operators. Read more

RCAC Loan Fund lends more than $30 million to rural communities

West Sacramento, Calif. — In the quarter ending Sept. 30, 2019, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) closed 25 loans that totaled $30.8 million to support rural communities in California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Read more

Partners for Rural Transformation release policy paper

The Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT) is a national coalition dedicated to advancing economic mobility in persistent poverty areas. During the past few months the group completed a strategic plan to challenge philanthropy, financial institutions and government to end persistent poverty. Read more

Looking for a career in housing?

Do you have housing, project management and community development skills? Do you want a job that provides plenty of opportunities to learn and grow? Work with our team and help increase affordable housing in rural communities across the West. View this and other career opportunities

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), with an Aeris rating of 4 Stars AA plus Policy Plus. Learn more about our lending products

National Self-Help Housing Conference

Albuquerque, NM | Feb. 4 – 6, 2020

Registration is now open for the 2020 National Self-Help Housing Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico February 4 – 6, 2020. This is a great opportunity for self-help grantees to learn and network with other grantees and USDA RD. There will be no registration fee this year.

RCAC is awarding a limited number of scholarships to self-help grantees in the western region. Requests must be received by December 6. Click here to learn more about scholarship opportunities.

Conference and Workshop Highlights

Electrical and Pumping Systems for Operators

December 5 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Yavapai-Apache Nation Tunlii Community Center
1520 E Cherry Creek Rd
Camp Verde, Arizona 86322

Participants will learn basic electrical concepts coupled with pump performance testing, troubleshooting and maintenance techniques. We will explore basic electri­cal theory and how it relates to common electric motor types and motor controllers deployed in fluid handling systems. We will review the main pump types used in water and wastewater systems, discuss their performance characteristics and how to troubleshoot and maintain these pumps and their related electrical infrastructure.

Register here >>

Nevada Open Meeting Law Changes and Review

Three dates available: December 12; January 14, 2020; February 8, 2020

Location: ONLINE

The Nevada Open Meeting Law, first passed in 1960, declared the legislative intent that actions taken by public bodies be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly. On June 13, the Nevada State Legislature passed AB70, revising Chapter 241 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), commonly referred to as the Nevada Open Meeting Law. This online course is a review of the core concepts codified in the law and a summary of recent changes to the NRS that are important for members of public bodies to know.

Register here >>