New Mexico Stories | Community Development Digest

New Mexico Approves $20 Million for Road Projects

The commission's action follows in the wake of a veto earlier this year by Gov. Susana Martinez (R). She vetoed highway maintenance legislation because she said the measure allocated $20 million in funding for road maintenance but was offset with only $12 million in tax revenue.

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USDA Infrastructure Program to Favor Neediest Colonias

The Agriculture Department (USDA) is changing the priority points system for applications in its Section 306C Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program to favor the neediest colonias. USDA's program finances improvements in colonias -- those areas along the U.S.-Mexico border that lack adeq...

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Union Pacific Foundation Offers Community Grants

Union Pacific Foundation (UPF) is offering up to $10,000 in awards through its Community-Based Grants Program. Schools, community-based groups and nonprofits in areas served by the railroad are eligible for grant funding. They are urged to file a preliminary application earlier than the Aug. 14 post...

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State and Local Briefs

Iowa: The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awards seven communities a combined $3.5 million in CDBG funding. The awards are expected to result in rehabilitation of 144 buildings. Burlington, Charles City, Conrad, Elkader, Emmetsburg, Manning and West Union each receive CDBG funds for maste...

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Multi-Agency Effort Brings Capital to Colonias

HUD, the Agriculture Department-Rural Development (USDA-RD) office and the Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund begin the new Border Community Capital Initiative (BCCI), created to help lenders and investors provide capital to distressed communities near the...

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Pearce, Udall Seek Answers on NM CDBG Cuts

Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) want answers from Census Bureau officials about why New Mexico's Community Development Block Grant Small Cities funding was cut by 35%. The cut was the largest amount of any state in FY 2012. Action to adjust the formula used to calculate the decrea...

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(HOUSING) Partnership to Provide $50 Million for Affordable Housing

UnitedHealth Group and Enterprise Community Investment Inc. are partnering to provide $50 million for affordable housing projects. The partnership is investing in projects that qualify for either federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits or Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits. The partnership's first...

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(LOCAL) Minorities Faced with Fair Housing Issues in NM City

Farmington, NM city officials issue a report indicating minorities are having difficulties gaining fair housing in their city in large part due to restrictions placed on loans by banks. City officials conducted the analysis to ensure they would still be able to receive Community Development...

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(HUD) Sweat Equity Money to Help Finance New Affordable Homes

Past successes in producing affordable housing and compliance with HUD rules proves vital to a New Mexico-based nonprofit’s recent award of FY 2011 Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) funding. HUD issued $27 million of SHOP funding in mid-October, money that will lead to construction...

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(GRANTS) HUD Offers FY 2011 Indian CDBG Funding

HUD seeks applications from tribes in connection with the competitive Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program. A June 15 application deadline is set. These competitive grants are financed using FY 2011 funds set-aside in the larger Community Development Block Grant formula. I...

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