southwest new mexico council of governments the quarterly mentor

for a month, starting on March

19.

In March 2010, census forms

will be mailed to residents with

street addresses. Those with

post office boxes must pick

up their census form at a Be

Counted site. We plan to list

the Be Counted sites for the

southwest region in the next

issue of this newsletter.

The Council of Governments

has been working to identify

unincorporated areas as

“Census Designated places” so

that they will have data

available to them to submit to

potential funders. In this way,

they will not have to conduct

lengthy income surveys in their

communities for purposes of

obtaining federal or state

funding.

The U.S. government is

gearing up for the next

decennial census in 2010. The

census is required by law. It is

our goal in New Mexico to

assure an accurate count so that

New Mexico communities will

benefit.

Census information affects

apportionment of seats in the

U.S. House of Representatives,

redistricting, and distribution of

federal funds. Funding for

over 100 different federal

programs are affected by the

Census. These include funding

for hospitals, job training

centers, schools, senior centers,

emergency services and other

important local needs.

Counties and municipalities

provide active leadership by

participating in Census Count

Committees, some of which

are already in effect in the

region. Contact John Swap,

regional Census coordinator, at

575-358-2386 with questions

about the Census Count

Committee in your area.

The response rates in

southwestern New Mexico for

the last Census were 44% in

Catron County, 60% in Grant

County, 48% in Hidalgo

County, and 57% in Luna

County. Make 100%

participation your goal. The

2010 Census is a 10-question

form that can be quickly filled

out and returned by mail.

One factor affecting

participation is the fear of

disclosure of confidential

personal information. U.S.

code protects the

confidentiality of the

information provided and

violation of that privacy is

punishable by severe penalties.

Names, addresses, social

security numbers and

telephone numbers may not be

shared. All Census Bureau

employees take an oath of

nondisclosure and are sworn

for life to protect the

confidentiality of the data.

The majority of the country

will receive English-only

materials. Households in areas

with high concentrations of

Spanish-speaking residents

may receive a bilingual

(English/Spanish) form.

The Census Bureau is setting

up “Be Counted” sites for

people to go to for a

questionnaire if they feel they

were missed. Questionnaire

assistance centers will be open

It’s In Our Hands: 2010 Census

Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments

Fall 2009 Volume 2, Issue 1

The Quarterly Mentor

Inside this issue:

U.S. Census — 1

New logo — 2

Hurley recognizes

Jackson—2

Comprehensive

Economic Development

report — 2

Lordsburg opens new

city hall — 3

Unemployment report—

3

Southwest NM

Leadership Program

announced — 3

Grant opportunities—4

NMFA—5

SWNMCOG update—5

NMFA loan tools — 5

IMPORTANT

DATES

The next session of the

New Mexico State

Legislature will open on

January 19, 2009. It is a

30-day session.

CDBG Applications are

due December 18, 2009.

www.swnmcog.org

"Just like we can’t survive without roads and bridges, the country doesn’t function well without an updated Census to distribute funds to areas that most need them and to support com-munity decisions about their own future."

– Robert M. Groves, Director of the United States Census Bureau

The Quarterly Mentor

comprehensive plans. Leaders in the

arts, agriculture, education, the

environment, housing and other fields

were interviewed for their input as to

major regional needs.

Goals include the need for vocational

and career training for youth, increasing

the stock of affordable housing, small

The Southwest New Mexico Council of

Governments submitted the

Comprehensive Economic Development

Strategy for 2010-2015 to the Economic

Development Administration this fall.

Major economic development goals reflect

those of member counties and

municipalities, mainly drawn from their

The Quarterly Mentor, a publication of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments

Council of Governments Approves New Logo

The Southwest New Mexico Council of

Governments approved a new logo design at

its November 5, 2009 meeting. The design

shows the four counties wreathed in sunlight

with the rays reaching across the region.

This is the first time that the Council has had a

logo. Previously, the outline of the four

counties was used.

Thanks to Blake Farley for all her time and

efforts in designing and meeting the goals of

Town of Hurley Mayor Ray Baca, Town

Councilors Gomez, Martinez and Maynes, and

fellow fire fighters recognized and thanked

retiring Fire Chief Jay Jackson for

his forty years of service recently.

Mr. Jackson started working for

the Hurley Fire Department in

1969. He was appointed as fire

chief in 1974. There was

standing room only at the Town

Hall meeting chambers when Mayor Baca

presented Mr. Jackson with a plaque recognizing

him for his outstanding service.

Hurley Honors Retiring Fire Chief

for Forty Years of Service

SWNMCOG transportation planner

Cynthia Stoehner and Deming Mayor

Andres Silva at Walk and Roll to

School Day in Deming on October 7.

Walk and Roll to School Day is part of

the Safe Routes to School program.

business recruitment and retention,

improvements to water and wastewater

systems, and more.

The “CEDS” report may be viewed online

at www.swnmcog.org.

All members and interested others are

invited to review the report and to offer

comments to [email protected].

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015

SWNMCOG staff and board for the

logo.

The City of Lordsburg proudly unveiled the new Arthur

Clark Smith City Hall at a ribbon cutting ceremony on

November 2, 2009. State Senator John Arthur Smith

and State Representative Rodolpho “Rudy” Martinez

were on hand to congratulate the City on its great

accomplishment, as well as Kathleen Herrera, wife of

the late Manny Herrera who also supported funding for

the much needed new building.

The City’s previous City Hall was built over 75 years

ago and had numerous problems,

including electrical, roofing, and

plumbing.

Jim Redford, a native of Lordsburg,

was the architect. Gentry Construction

from Alamogordo was the contractor.

The new City Hall was funded through

state legislative appropriations and the

City of Lordsburg totaling some

$1,035,000. It is more energy efficient,

has room for classroom training,

provides much needed additional space

for city employees, and ample parking

for citizen-customers.

Arthur Clark Smith is the longest

serving elected official to serve the City

of Lordsburg. He has served as mayor

for a total of 23 years, and before that

as councilor and mayor pro tem.

Congratulations to Lordsburg and to

Mayor Smith.

Arthur Clark Smith City Hall Opens in Lordsburg

Volume 2, Issue 1 www.swnmcog.org

Mayor Smith cuts the ribbon in the company of City

Councilors, Sen. Smith, Rep. Martinez, and Head Start

students.

New Mexico’s Department of Workforce

Solutions reported October 22, 2009 that New

Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment

rate was 7.7 percent in September 2009, still

less than the national unemployment rate of

9.8 percent. New Mexico’s over-the-year job

growth, comparing September 2009 with

September 2008 was negative 3.6 percent,

representing an over-the-year loss of 30,900

Community members interested in learning

leadership skills can enroll in the Southwest

New Mexico Leadership Program.

Sponsored by Western New Mexico

University in partnership with other

organizations, the course is designed to

challenge and prepare individuals from

diverse backgrounds to become influential

in the southwestern communities of New

Mexico.

Up to 18 participants will be selected. The

tuition is $500 per participant and some

scholarship support is available.

The application deadline is December 15,

2009. Among those serving on the

Advisory Committee for this year’s

program are Paul Nimick, Village of

Columbus, and Priscilla C. Lucero,

executive director, SWNMCOG.

For more information and to secure

an application, contact Dr. Kathie

Gilbert at 575-538-6348 or email her

at [email protected].

State Senator Smith (top)and

State Representative Martinez

at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Below, the new Arthur Clark

Smith City Hall.

Southwest New Mexico Leadership Program inviting applications

jobs.

Unemployment rates in the region for

September 2009 were Catron County

8.1%; Grant 12.3%; Hidalgo 7.6%; and

Some Good News: Unemployment in New Mexico Below National Average


Highway Safety Funds

The New Mexico Department of

Transportation has announced funding

availability under the High Safety

Improvement Program. Projects that

can be ready for bidding on or before

August 23, 2010 can be submitted for

consideration for the FY 2010 end of

year close-out. City streets, sidewalks,

bikeways, pedestrian trails, county

roads and tribal roads are eligible, as

well as state highways.

The deadline for applications is January

25, 2010. Submittals must first be sent

to the Southwest Regional Planning

Organization for review and approval.

Contact Cynthia Stoehner for details at

[email protected] or 388-1509.

New Mexico Historical

Records Advisory Board

Grant funds are available for

municipalities to preserve their records.

The New Mexico Historical Records

Advisory Board has awarded grants to

governments and nonprofits to help

preserve New Mexico records and

make them accessible to the public

since 1999. The Town of Silver City

has been the only recipient of these

funds in southwest New Mexico.

Grants may be used to preserve historic

documents, including microfilming and

digitizing records, purchase archival

supplies, repair old ledger books, hire

consultants to develop records

management programs, train employees

in records management, or hire part-

time or seasonal workers or contractors

for these purposes.

The maximum award amount is $8,500

with a 25% matching requirement that

may be cash or in-kind. Funding

guidelines, application forms and the

annual grant calendar are available

online at www.nmcpr.state.nm.us.

The application deadline is around

March 1st of each year. The New

Mexico Historical Records Advisory

Board typically funds 90% to 95% of

the applications that it receives each

year, so municipalities have an

excellent chance of receiving these

funds.

Environmental Education

Grants

The Grants Program sponsored by

EPA’s Environmental Education

Division, Office of Children’s Health

Protection and Environmental

Education, supports environmental

education projects that enhance the

public’s awareness, knowledge, and

skills to help people make informed

decisions that affect environmental

quality. EPA awards grants each

year based on funding appropriated

by Congress. Annual funding for the

program ranges between $2-$3

million. Most grants will be in the

$15,000 to $25,000 range.

The deadline for applying for a 2010

environmental education grant is

December 15, 2009. Go to http://

www.epa.gov/education/grants.html.

Health Impact Assessment

Demonstration Projects

The Health Impact Project, a

collaboration of the Robert Wood

Johnson Foundation and The Pew

Charitable Trusts, is now accepting

proposals for health impact

assessment demonstration projects

(“HIAs”.) HIAs are a valuable

decision-making tool for

policymakers. HIAs take a flexible,

data-driven approach toward

identifying the health consequences

of new policies, and help develop

practical strategies to enhance their

health benefits and minimize adverse

effects.

The Health Impact Project will fund

government agencies, educational

institutions and nonprofit

organizations at the local, state and

tribal levels. Up to 15 HIA grants

will be awarded on a rolling basis

and will range from $25,000 to

$150,000 each.

Grantees will receive training,

mentoring and technical assistance

from the Health Impact Project and

leading HIA experts. Go to

www.healthimpactproject.org for

more information.

Environmental Justice Small

Grants Program

The purpose of EPA’s Environmental

Justice Small Grants Program is to

support and empower communities

that are working on local solutions to

local environmental and/or public

health issues.

This year’s grants will continue to aid

community projects and support the

EPA Administrator’s priorities of

improving air quality, managing

chemical risks, cleaning up

hazardous-waste disposal sites,

reducing greenhouse gas emissions,

and protecting America’s water.

The grant deadline is January 8,

2010. Go to www.epa.gov/

compliance/environmentaljustics/

grants/ej-smgrants.html for more

information.

Grant Opportunities

SWNMCOG is pleased to

welcome Deming Public

Schools to its membership.

At its November 5 meeting, the

SWNMCOG Board of

Directors approved a new logo.

Thanks to Blake Farley for her

design work on the logo.

Welcome to John Sutherland,

Jr., the new manager of Luna

County, and to newly elected

Luna County commissioner

Debra French.

Debra French was sworn in as

a Luna County Commissioner

on September 15, 2009. She

previously taught in the

Deming Public Schools.

John Sutherland, Jr. was hired

as Luna County Manager

earlier this year. Welcome to

both!

Aaron Sera has been named

as the community services

director for Luna County.

Gene Paulk who held that

position was hired to be

NMDOT’s Technical Support

Engineer and ARRA

coordinator.

SWNMCOG congratulates

Olga Morales-Sanchez on her

appointment to the U.S.

Environmental Protection

Agency National Drinking

Since 1994, the New Mexico Finance

Authority (NMFA) has financed

approximately 1,350 projects totaling

nearly $2 billion through its 15 programs.

NMFA has funded infrastructure and

equipment critical to southwest New

Mexico communities in such areas as

water and wastewater infrastructure, fire

protection and law enforcement, road

improvements, economic development,

and a variety of community facilities.

Legislative Authorization

NMFA invites communities to renew

their Legislative Authorization for

NMFA financing for all projects in

excess of $1 million. The authorization

is completely non-obligatory and carries

a three-year expiration. The following

projects must be specially authorized for

your community: equipment, building,

infrastructure, special assessment district,

public improvement district, refinancing,

general obligation, water rights, and land

acquisition. In order to be placed on the

NMFA Legislative Authorization Bill,

send a memorandum on your letterhead

requesting that your community be

placed on the list for the above referenced

projects care of: Matthew Jaramillo,

Director of Government Affairs, 207

Shelby Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

Planning Grants

Planning Grant funds are available to

qualifying entities for eligible planning

projects, including: PER(s), Water/

Wastewater Master Plans, Water/

Wastewater Feasibility Study, Economic

Development Master Plans, and

Economic Development Feasibility

Study.

Smart Money Initiative of the

Statewide Economic Development

Finance Act

The Smart Money Loan Participation

Program partners the NMFA with local

banks to help fund businesses that create

and retain jobs. These loans can be

blended with Small Business

Administration programs using low,

fixed interest rates and a single

application process.

For more information on these and other

NMFA tools, go to www.nmfa.net or call

Faviola Chavez at 505-992-9700 or John

Brooks at (505)

984-1454.


Water Advisory Council’s

Climate Ready Water Utilities

Working Group . Ms. Morales

will represent the Rural

Community Assistance

Corporation in the working

group. “Ms. Morales brings a

strong knowledge of the

management and operations of

small utilities, expertise in the

delivery of effective training

programs, and in the

development of collaborative

measures to assist utilities,”

said Robert Stewart, Rural

Community Assistance

Partnership executive director.

SWNMCOG congratulates Jay

Jackson for 40 years of service

to the Town of Hurley.

Debra French

John Sutherland, Jr.

Notes from SWNMCOG . . .

New Mexico Finance Authority

P.O. Box 2157

Silver City, New Mexico 88062

Tel. 575-388-1509

Fax: 575-388-1500

E-mail: [email protected]

The Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments (SWNMCOG) is a regional

planning commission which serves government entities, soil and water conserva-

tion districts, school systems, and a rural conservation district in Catron, Grant,

Hidalgo and Luna Counties. The purpose of SWNMCOG is to help is members

improve the life of people in southwestern New Mexico by securing funding and

partnerships for community and economic development, transportation, housing,

and other infrastructure needs.

Priscilla C. Lucero, executive director

Pam Eley, office manager and planner

Gloria Terrazas-Barnes, economic/community development planner

Cynthia Stoehner, transportation planner

Maureen Craig, community development planner

Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments

Serving Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties

Newsletter editor, Maureen Craig

We’re on the Web!

www.swnmcog.org

SWNMCOG

P.O. Box 2157

Silver City, NM 88062

southwest new mexico council of governments the quarterly mentor

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