Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Catron County Connection: Employment opportunity - Accounts Payable Clerk

Catron County Connection: Employment opportunity - Accounts Payable Clerk: Accounts Payable Clerk Catron County, New Mexico Catron County is seeking applicants for the position of Accounts Payable Clerk. Salary...

Catron County Connection: Invitation to bid - Diesel & gasoline

Catron County Connection: Invitation to bid - Diesel & gasoline: INVITATION TO BID Bid Number: 13-12-6 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the County of Catron, Reserve, New Mexico, invites sealed bids for its...

Catron County Connection: Invitation to bid - Diesel & gasoline

Catron County Connection: Invitation to bid - Diesel & gasoline: INVITATION TO BID Bid Number: 13-12-6 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the County of Catron, Reserve, New Mexico, invites sealed bids for its...

Monday, December 10, 2012

Catron County Connection: Invitation to bid - Propane

Catron County Connection: Invitation to bid - Propane: Catron County Commission Office Catron County, New Mexico INVITATION TO BID Bid Number: 13-12-5 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the County of Ca...

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Catron County CWPP: Regional Wildland Fire Risk Analysis Reports Now A...

Catron County CWPP: Regional Wildland Fire Risk Analysis Reports Now A...: Regional Wildland Fire Risk Analysis Reports Now Available Stakeholder Engagement Encouraged in Final Phase of the Cohesive Strategy EMM...

Monday, December 3, 2012

Catron County Water Coalition: Text of Augustin Plains Ranch flyer

Catron County Water Coalition: Text of Augustin Plains Ranch flyer: Here is the text of the Augustin Plains Ranch flyer.  If anyone has a better image than I was sent, please email it to me, or post the text ...

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Catron County Water Coalition: Augustin Plains Ranch: THEY'RE BACK!

Catron County Water Coalition: Augustin Plains Ranch: THEY'RE BACK!: Opinion Lif Strand Just when you thought we'd won... Augustin Plains Ranch is starting their next round.  They've learned a lot from thei...

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Bicycle Tourism


Bicycle touring is a growing sport! And Route 60 is one of the main cross country routes. All the cyclists talk about Pie Town. Locals can become WarmShowers hosts or keep supplies that cyclists need in stock, such as tire tubes and Udder Balm. (Yes, really!)

Elizabeth Planteen posted this on the Springerville-Eagar Regional Chamber of Commerce FB page.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Catron County Connection: Catron County Fire Task Force Meets

Catron County Connection: Catron County Fire Task Force Meets: Contact:  Zina McGuire, Catron County Fire Chief PO Box 507, Reserve NM  87830 (575) 533-6470  catronfire@gilanet.com FOR IMMEDIAT...

Friday, November 16, 2012

Catron County Connection: Augustin Plains Ranch LLC Loses!

Catron County Connection: Augustin Plains Ranch LLC Loses!: 7th Judicial District Court, Reserve NM .  The State Engineer's Order Denying Application by the Augustin Plains Ranch LLC, was affirmed on ...

Friday, November 9, 2012

NM Collateral Support Loan Participation Program - Small Business

The New Mexico Finance Authority
and
New Mexico Economic Development Department’s
Finance Development Team
Invites You to A Presentation Outlining
NM Collateral Support Loan Participation Program

Santa Fe - Community Convention Center
  • 11/13 (2pm – 5pm)
  • 2pm-3pm Borrowers w/30 minutes one on one
  • 3:30-4:30 Lenders w/30 minutes one on one

Albuquerque – Science & Tech Park
851 University SE, 2nd Floor Board Room
  • 11/14 (3pm-4pm borrowers; 4pm-5pm lenders)

Grants-SBDC Conference Room
Gallup-Chamber of Commerce
  • 11/15 (10-11am borrowers; 11am-noon lenders)
  • 11/15 (1:30pm-2:30 lenders; 2:30-3:30pm borrowers)

Farmington –Quality Center for Business
5101 College Blvd
  • 11/27 (1-2 for lenders; 2:30-3:30 borrowers)

Las Cruces – Dona Ana Comm. College Workforce Center
Room 127 - 2345 E Nevada
  • 12/3 (11am-noon lenders; 1pm-2pm borrowers)

Hobbs – location TBD
  • 12/5 (1pm-2pm borrowers; 2:30-3:30pm lenders)

In 2011, New Mexico was authorized to receive $13,168,350.00 from the US Department of Treasury as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative provided through the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The Finance Authority administers these funds on behalf of the State through the Collateral Support Loan Participation Program.


Through the Collateral Support Participation Program, the Finance Authority is able to partner directly with banks to provide capital to credit worthy businesses seeking to expand, create or retain jobs by offering an efficiently lower the interest rate paid by the business. To mitigate the bank’s risk by purchasing a portion of the bank’s loan, often in a subordinated collateral position. The amount of the Finance Authority’s participation will vary based upon the location of the business, the term of the loan and the collateral position offered to the Finance Authority. *The application for this program is submitted by the bank on behalf of the business.

SMALL BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • Be located in New Mexico
  • Use the loan proceeds for business purposes
  • Have 500 or fewer employees
  • Be a non-profit corporation, for-profit corporation, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship, cooperative or other entity that is authorized to conduct business in the state of New Mexico
  • Meet the bank’s lending requirements with the exception of the deficient collateral, which is enhanced through the program.



You may direct any inquiries or questions to:
John Brooks (jbrooks@nmfa.net) at 505-984-1454 or Juan Torres (juan.torres@state.nm.us) at 505-827-0238















Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Holiday Arts/crafts Opportunity: Tangible Treasures

Dear Friends and Fellow Artists,
Well, Tangible Treasures has been open a full three months and having so much fun it might be illegal. Many of you are receiving your consignment checks and they are growing each month. We are pleased to say that our shop has new items every day. Things change so fast that you might miss something if Tangible Treasures is not on your "to do list" every week. Our customer base has increased daily and we now see many times the daily amount on a regular basis. Last week was the best week yet. 

During the months of November and December we are planning a
Christmas Boutique and are asking you to bring in your holiday arts and crafts to round out our already fabulous assortment of treasures. We share a partnership where the more you put into making the treasures in our boutique unique and fun, then the more successful we both are. While most of our customers are "tourists", we also have many local customers that come in weekly to purchase items to dress up their homes and to adorn themselves as well as shop for unusual gifts for people they love. I can't stress enough for you to take advantage of a local permanent home to show case your talents and treasures. I would like to have your items priced and on the walls and shelves before the Holiday rush starts, starting the end of October. I must say we get so jazzed by your creativity, that your treasures makes our job of selling them easier. If you have any questions, or would like to make an appointment to consign your treasures please email or call.



Pamela Deratany,
Tangible Treasures
2128 US Hwy 180
Rancho Grande (next to the Adobe Cafe and Bakery) Reserve, New Mexico
tangibletreasures@ymail.com
575-533-6966
Closed Tue and Sat
Hours 10:00am-4:00pm
Please like us on Facebook

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

GILA NATIONAL FOREST ANNOUNCES MEETING FOR WILDFIRE EQUIPMENT USE



Silver City, NM; October 30, 2012—The Southwestern Region of USDA Forest Service announces a meeting for vendors interested in providing resources to support wildfires and other emergency incidents. Scheduled for November 13, 2012, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. throughout multiple locations in New Mexico and Arizona, the meeting is via video tele-conferencing (VTC). In southwest New Mexico, the VTC is scheduled at the Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City.

Interested vendors will learn about registration required to become a government vendor, how to find and respond to a solicitation through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system, and how to read and understand contract requirements for specific equipment!  The following resource types will be obtained by competitive solicitation for Fiscal Year 2013:
•           Mobile laundry units
•           Potable and gray water trucks/Trailer-mounted hand washing units
•           Portable toilets/Wheelchair accessible portable toilets/Portable hand wash units
•           Fuel tenders
•           Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Apparatus (formerly Crash Rescue Trucks)
•           Miscellaneous Heavy Equipment (feller bunchers/masticators/road graders/skidders)

Although not an inclusive list, other common types of equipment used to support  emergency incidents include: 
•           All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Vehicles (UTVs)
•           Chainsaw repair kits
•           Chippers
•           Coach bus
•           Computers and Printers; Copiers
•           Heavy Equipment (dozers/excavators/transports)
•           Mechanic with Service Truck
•           Mobile Sleeper Units
•           Vehicle rentals (passenger vehicles and trucks without operators)
•           Vehicle with Driver (usually owned by individuals or small business and used for hauling  supplies)
•           Water Handling Equipment (support & tactical water tenders and engines)

To find the location of other VTC locations, call the Gila National Forest’s Supervisor’s Office at 575.388.8201 or [download Word doc here]. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Website link for VIPR information:  http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vipr.php
Current solicitation notices are published at:  https://www.fbo.gov


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Glenwood Gazette News: Socorro Electric Co-op District 5 meeting report

Glenwood Gazette News: Socorro Electric Co-op District 5 meeting report: Socorro, NM  October 27, 2012 Report by Carol Jean Auffrey Anne Dorough was elected district 5 trustee at the district 5 meeting last eve. ...

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Catron County Water Coalition: Sept 19 San Augustin water hearing

Catron County Water Coalition: Sept 19 San Augustin water hearing: This is a reminder about the San Augustin water grab hearing on Wednesday, September 19 at 11 AM. The hearing will be in the Socorro County...

Friday, August 17, 2012

USDA_RD Value Added Producer Grant


Value-Added Producer Grant
Agricultural producers can receive economic planning and working capital grants
Application submission deadline: 10/15/2012


Rural Development Partners:

US Department of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD)’s Value Added Producer Grant program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA; attached) has been published for FY 2012.  The program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities.  Grants will be awarded competitively for either economic planning or working capital projects directly related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products.  Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. $14 million are available in this national competition.  The deadline to submit applications is October 15, 2011.  Attached and below, you will find information about the programs, including the tools you’ll need to apply.

Staff names and contact information are available at the end of the attached fact sheet.  USDA-RD encourages each potential applicant to contact the Rural Development State Office or a local Area Office as soon as possible.  Staff can identify whether a potential applicant and project are eligible and answer your questions about the program.


Value-Added Producer Grant -- Deadline:  October 15, 2012

Basic information
·         The program is for economic planning or working capital. Funding amounts:  No minimum.  Maximum:  $100,000 for planning; $300,000 for working capital
·         There is no “rural” requirement—all areas of New Mexico are eligible.
·         Eligible applicants are independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer and rancher cooperatives; or majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.  Please see the specific definitions of these applicant types in the regulation cited below at page 20 (section 4284.920).  All applicant types must currently produce and own a majority of the agricultural commodity to which value will be added and that is the subject of the proposal.
·         The types of eligible projects are listed on page 23 (section 4284.922) of the regulation cited below.  A value added product is any agricultural commodity or product that meets one of the following qualifications.
o   Has undergone a change in physical state
o   Was produced in a manner that enhances its value
o   Is physically segregated
o   Is a source of farm- or ranch-based renewable energy, including E-85
o   Is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced agricultural food product.
·         As a result of the proposed project, the customer base for the agricultural commodity or value-added product must be expanded and the project must result in the applicant producer of the agricultural commodity’s receiving a greater portion of the revenue derived from the marketing or processing of the value-added product.
·         There is a matching fund requirement of at least $1 for every $1 in grant funds provided by the agency.

Requirements/application template:  The fact sheet provides an overview of the program.  More information is available at the USDA-RD VAPG website page at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html .  An application template will be available at that website soon. The application requirements are guided by the Notice of Funds Availability and the regulation, which can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/4284j.pdf The application must include the required forms.

Deadline/Submission:  Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2012 or they will not be considered for funding from this NOFA.  Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped or sent overnight by this date.  Electronic applications are permitted via www.grants.gov only, and must be received by midnight on this date.  No fax or email application submissions will be considered.  Submit paper applications to USDA-Rural Development/New Mexico State Office, 6200 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM  87109.  Submit to the State Office; NOT an area office.

We, at USDA-Rural Development, look forward to speaking with you about your projects.

Jesse

B. Jesse Monfort Bopp l State Loan Specialist, NM Rural Energy Coordinator
Rural Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture
6200 Jefferson NE, Rm 255
Albuquerque, NM  87109

Monday, July 23, 2012

Stimulus Funding for Catron County

How Much Stimulus Funding is Going to Catron County?

The ProPublica website used data from the federal government’s stimulus Web site, Recovery.gov, spiffed it up and added thousands of other recovery spending records. The info was updated in February 2012. It includes recipient-reported data through the first quarter of 2012, which was released in January 2012.

Click HERE for Catron County stimulus funding data

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Catron County Connection: New Datil Ambulance Building Open House

Catron County Connection: New Datil Ambulance Building Open House: Datil EMS, thanks to the Commissioners and County Manager, have a new building for the Datil Ambulance and would like to open up the buildi...

Thursday, May 17, 2012

NM Gov Martinez Issues Drought Declaration

SANTA FE, NM – Governor Susana Martinez issued a formal drought declaration that encompasses the entire state of New Mexico.   The declaration continues the New Mexico State Drought Task Force for an additional two years and directs the State Engineer to assess the continued severity of the drought and its effects on the various sectors of the state’s resources and economy and to make recommendations to the Governor for intermediate actions and long-term strategies to mitigate drought conditions and impacts in the state.   [More]

Friday, May 11, 2012

Annual SAWC Meeting & Candidate Forum May 19, 2012


The San Augustin Water Coalition (SAWC) annual meeting will be held 1 PM, May 19, 2012 at the Datil Elementary School Gym.  Candidate forum at 2 PM.  [MORE]

New Mexico Green Industry Training Opportunity


From:

April Weitlauf
New Mexico Green Collaborative
Weitlauf Management

The State Energy Sector Partnership Program (SESP), Ta New Mexico Green Industry training opportunity, is now available to NM residents and businesses.   This training could include many 'Green Industry' opportunities including Lead Abatement Certifications, Water Harvesting Certifications, Welding (Aluminum/Steel), Bio-Fuel Certifications, OSHA trainings, Human Resource if practicing within Green Business... and more.  If you have an idea and want to ask if it would qualify for the program do not hesitate to drop me an email or just pick up the phone and give me a call, my information is listed at the bottom of this notice.

Below you will find the eligibility requirements and program description. This program is free to individuals, and under some circumstances there may be a minimal financial match to employers who would like to have their employees receive some type of upgraded training.

SESP PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for training you must be over 18 and 1) have a Social Security number, 2) have the right to work in the U.S., and 3) comply with Selective Service registration requirements (for males)
AND
Be included in one or more of the following groups:

  • A veteran or qualified spouse of a veteran; 
  • A high school dropout; 
  • Disabled; 
  • Criminal ex-offender, including juvenile; 
  • Currently unemployed; 
  • An incumbent worker in need of skills upgrades for a solar, wind biofuels, green building/energy efficiency green job; 
  • A dislocated worker; 
  • In need of updated training related to energy efficiency and renewable energy; and/or 
  • Worker impacted by national energy and environmental policy. 

SESP PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The State Energy Sector Partnership Program (SESP) is a three year, six-million dollar American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor. The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) administers the grant on behalf of the State Workforce Development Board (SWDB). Policy and oversight of the grant is the responsibility of the New Mexico Green Industry Council (GIC), which is a subcommittee of the SWDB.

A key goal of the SESP grant is to establish a statewide, systematic approach to worker training in renewable energy/energy efficiency occupations that is responsive to business and worker needs.
The New Mexico SESP grant has identified four priority industries for training workers to meet the needs of the state's green energy sector:
  • Solar; 
  • Wind; 
  • Green Building/Energy Efficiency; and 
  • Biofuels 
Training services are being provided though the State's local workforce development boards. visit your local Workforce Connection Center. Your nearest Workforce Connection Center can be found by visiting http://www.dws.state.nm.us/dws-offices.html.

Additionally, in an effort to increase the capacity of the solar, wind, green building/energy efficiency and biofuels industry sectors, and to better meet the needs of existing and incoming businesses in New Mexico, NMDWS has awarded funds to four consortia of education providers, businesses, and workforce organizations to develop statewide "Centers of Excellence" programs. The purpose of these Centers of Excellence is to enhance and expand existing green sector training programs and develop new programs in emerging green industries. The funds will assist in the development and implementation of innovative collaborations between the business, workforce, economic development and educational systems.
Best regards,

April Weitlauf
New Mexico Green Collaborative
Weitlauf Management
aweitlauf@msn.com

575-574-8994 cell


Monday, April 16, 2012

San Augustin Water Grab: A Battle Won But Not the War

San Augustin Water Grab: A Battle Won But Not the War

A Battle Won But Not the War
Cathie R. Eisen
Walking Water Consulting
PO Box 133
Nogal, New Mexico
April 8, 2012

Across the southern states a battle is raging for our most precious resource. The value of water has reached a premium, and it will only increase with time. As the cities and counties of the west continue to grow, so does the need for new water sources to support their ever increasing demands. While the quest for oil is on the forefront of everyone's mind, dollar for dollar, water is by far more valuable. We can live without oil if necessary, but we must have water to survive. During the past few years, several applications have been submitted to the State Engineers Office in New Mexico for the purpose of tapping into the deeper aquifers, waters which were previously deemed unusable and were until now unprotected from such requests. One by one, they have been protested and denied. This is not the end of the effort. Future legislation will support these requests as our cities continue to grow along with the residential demand for additional supplies; water for sanitary and domestic water use is and always will be a priority to developers and communities. The health and welfare of the masses could easily trump the livelihood of the rural ranchers. They are few, rural residents are many.   More at Glenwood Gazette... 

Monday, April 9, 2012

San Augustin Water Grab Decision Appealed

A legal notice of appeal of the NM Office of State Engineer decision to deny the San Augustin Ranch LLC's water grab application was published in today's Albuquerque Journal. http://legals.abqjournal.com/legals/show/279214

"NOTICE OF APPEAL DE NOVO FROM ORDER OF THE STATE ENGINEER Applicant/Appellant Augustin Plains Ranch, LLC, pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 72-7-1, hereby appeals de novo from the State Engineer's Order Denying Application dated March 30, 2012, in the above-referenced New Mexico State Engineer ("OSE") proceeding. Dated April 5, 2012. Respectfully submitted, /s/ John B. Draper John B. Draper Jeffrey J. Wechsler Montgomery & Andrews"

Sunday, February 5, 2012

SAN AUGUSTIN PLAINS WATER GRAB MOTIONS TO BE HEARD 02/07/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 03, 2012


SAN AUGUSTIN PLAINS WATER GRAB MOTIONS TO BE HEARD

SANTA FE, N.M.— After four years of delays and false starts, the State Engineer is finally hearing motions to dismiss an  application to take 54,000 acre-feet of groundwater annually from Catron County. The application, filed by a New York based corporation, is being protested by over 200 residents who live in and around Datil, NM – an area known as the San Augustin Plains. The residents fear that the San Augustin basin that supplies their wells with water and contributes flow to the Rio Grande and Gila River stream systems will be decimated if the application is granted. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) represents over 80 Protestants.

NMELC filed a motion to dismiss the application one year ago. “The application must be thrown out because it does not comply with basic New Mexico law,” said Bruce Frederick, NMELC Staff Attorney. “The corporation’s application seeks a permit to use or sell a vast amount of water for any purpose within seven New Mexico counties.  Under New Mexico law, however, the corporation was required to identify exactly how and where it intends to use the water, and its failure to do so means that the State Engineer cannot consider or approve its application.”

WHO:  New Mexico Environmental Law Center

WHAT:  Hearing before State Engineer addressing motions to dismiss the water rights application

WHERE: Socorro County Courthouse
                200 Church Street
                Socorro, New Mexico, 87801
                575-835-0050

WHEN:   Tuesday, February 7th, 10:00 a.m.

INTERVIEWS AND IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

www.nmelc.org

CONTACT:
Juana Colón
Wk: 505-989-9022, ext. 21

The mission of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center is to protect New Mexico's natural environment and achieve environmental justice for New Mexico's communities through legal representation, policy advocacy and public education. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center’s attorneys have handled over 100 critical cases in low-income and minority communities fighting pollution and environmental degradation. The NMELC charges few, if any, fees to its clients, most of who are from Hispanic and Native American communities. The NMELC celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008. Membership and gifts help New Mexico communities protect their natural environment and their health from toxic pollution, the degrading effects of growth and liabilities created by irresponsible mining. Call Sebia Hawkins, Director of Development 505-989-9022, ext. 27 for more information.

###

Monday, January 30, 2012

Catron County Wood Central

If you are looking for a wood source, or if you are looking for work in the forestry industry, please contact your area's Catron County Economic Development Advisory Board representative. Check out the Catron County Economic Development Website for the name of the representative nearest you - use your phone book to call or email catronweb @ gmail.com (delete the spaces).

FOR INSTANCE
Hazardous fuels and taxidermy snags

What do the two have to do with each other? John Clayton of Texas is looking for shaggy bark cedar, large quantities of stumps, roots and snags, dead or alive. He has a crafting and taxidermy market for "tumbled wood". He says that the shaggy bark cedar is particularly valuable if it ages at high altitude and rough climate - like we have here in Catron County.

He is looking for stumps and roots 4-8" in diameter and will buy from a harvester by weight. He is also looking for partnership with ranchers and public land management agencies to do hazardous fuels reduction work (he will take some payment in wood).

John has an immediate need for 3 semi loads full of shaggy bark cedar.
724 561-6530

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Invitation to Bid - State Land Office Price Agreements for Forestry / Prescribed Fire

Subject: Invitation to Bid - State Land Office Price Agreements for Forestry / Prescribed Fire

The New Mexico State Land Office’s Fuels Mitigation and Prescribed Fire Services Price Agreements (PA’s) have been opened for bidding.

Bids are due by February 15, 2012 and the Invitation to Bid (ITB) may be downloaded from HERE. Please feel free to forward this information to anyone who may be interested.

More at http://catroncounty.blogspot.com/2012/01/invitation-to-bid-state-land-office.html