In this issue:

Building dreams on the Pueblo

It took Bernard Garcia 14 years to see his dream take shape. It was not for lack of trying, but due to invisible barriers that keep him and other Indigenous entrepreneurs who do business on Tribal lands from expanding. In Bernard’s case it was the inability to secure typical financing because he could not borrow against his land. Read more

Translating solid waste outreach and GIS mapping materials into Alaskan Indigenous language

My Indigenous – Alaskan Yupik name is Arnariaq. My government name is Evelyn Agnus, and I come from a family as the second oldest of 10 siblings. I grew up in a southwestern community of Chefornak, Alaska during the winter months, and my family migrates to Umkumiut, Alaska during the summers for subsistence. Read more

Rural Community Assistance Corporation receives $250,000 Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Rebuilding Better Grant

West Sacramento, Calif. — Rural Community Assistance Corporation is pleased to announce this week that it has received a $250,000 Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Rebuilding Better Grant. RCAC will use the funds to launch a pilot advocacy program with Native American entrepreneurs in New Mexico. Read more

Join our team

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). About RCAC’s Loan Fund

Training highlights

Consumer Confidence Reporting Compliance (Arizona)

October 19 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Pacific Time)

Location: ONLINE

Informing your customers annually about the sources and quality of their water became a state and federal mandate with the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) amendments. Regulations were updated in 2012 to allow for electronic delivery of Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs). The exact format and language required for a CCR can be confusing to those creating the report, and to customers trying to understand it. This workshop will guide you through the process of producing a proper CCR for your water system for calendar year 2021. You will learn how to access the resources available on the SDWA website, the information that must be included, and the various delivery options. Register HERE

Preventing Health-Based Violations Part 1 of 2 (Idaho)

October 19 | Part 1 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am (Pacific Time)

October 21 | Part 2 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am (Pacific Time)

Location: ONLINE

In this two-part series, Idaho DEQ staff will review common health-based violations and how to avoid them. Examples of common violations to be covered will be how to properly conduct a level one or level two assessment under the RTCR and how to access and fill out the proper forms. Another focus will be on public education and required sampling or a study after an exceedance of the lead and copper rule. Correction of sanitary survey violations and how to complete a seasonal start up procedure will also be included. Register HERE