WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) are welcoming more than $2.2 million in American Rescue Plan funding to support the replacement of aging and deteriorating wastewater infrastructure in the Santo Domingo Pueblo to improve service for new and existing businesses.
“These American Rescue Plan funds will allow the Santo Domingo Pueblo to update their water infrastructure and meet the needs of local businesses,” said Heinrich. “Upgrading these systems means new jobs, more sustainable economic growth, and stronger communities. I’m proud that the Biden administration has made support for Tribal infrastructure development a priority and I’m pleased to see the American Rescue Plan make this all possible.”
“I was proud to vote for the American Rescue Plan and the investments it is making in New Mexico communities. The Santo Domingo Pueblo will receive $2.2 million in federal investments to make improvements in wastewater infrastructure that will help local entrepreneurs and businesses thrive,” said Luján, a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “Access to running water and wastewater facilities was an enormous risk factor for many rural and Tribal households throughout the pandemic, and I am glad to see federal COVID-19 relief funding being directed at measures like this that will make our local communities and economies stronger. Tribes and Pueblos in New Mexico were hit hard by COVID-19, and I will continue supporting efforts to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild from the pandemic.”
"We welcome this investment from the American Rescue Plan for the Santo Domingo Tribe that will improve wastewater infrastructure," said Leger Fernández. "These funds will support local businesses and promote economic development and the well-being of Native communities.”
The funding is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NCNMEDD). EDA funds NCNMEDD to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program, which allocates $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding specifically to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities. The program supports these partners to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future. Indigenous communities are also eligible and encouraged to apply under all of EDA’s other programs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.