In this issue:

RCAC Interview: Helen Price Johnson, Washington USDA Rural Development Director

In this issue, we speak with Helen Price Johnson, USDA RD State Director for Washington. A third-generation small business owner, Helen has worked statewide advocating for rural places and people. Joining USDA in January 2022, she previously served three terms as an Island County Commissioner, is a past president of the Washington State Association of Counties, a two-term member of the South Whidbey School Board and a member of the Board of Directors of the Whidbey Community Foundation. The South Whidbey Record recognized Helen as a Hometown Hero.

Sun Country Estates Maintenance Association

Sun Country Estates is a mobile home park in Yakima, Washington. The rural community consists of manufactured homes and is located along the Yakima River east of Seattle at the foot of the Cascade Mountain range. Property owners share the costs to maintain, repair and replace property through the homeowner’s association, Sun Country Estates Maintenance Association (SCEMA).

Training highlights

For questions about event registration, please email RCAC Events at registration@rcac.org or call (916) 447-9832 ext. 1429.

California Financing Coordinating Committee (CFCC) Funding Fair
November 1, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time | Online
November 8, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time | Online
November 14, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Pacific Time | SCE Energy Education Center, Tulare, California

Seeking funding for your infrastructure project? Obtain information about currently available infrastructure grant, loan and bond financing programs and options.  Connect with federal, state, and local agencies to discuss the financial and technical resources available. The funding fair provides an opportunity for attendees to speak directly with program staff about specific projects and issues affecting their community. Please visit the CFCC website for more information and member directory.

Operator Safety (Nevada)
November 15, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time | Online

This course is intended to provide operators with a general safety overview as it relates to the environments in which drinking water professionals work. The training begins with a regulatory overview and components of a workplace safety program. Next, the presentation moves into personal protection equipment, safety labeling, and recognizing hazards. The training then focuses on chemical and fire safety before finishing with hazards more commonly found in the field. When finished with the course, operators should leave with a better understanding of safety programs and better answer the “Why?” question when implementing safety programs back home.

Safe Drinking Water Act for Tribal Water Systems (New Mexico)
November 16, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Mountain Time | Online

This course provides basic information to water systems to familiarize themselves with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in operating and managing their water systems.

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.