USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner held Dixon Days today in Dixon, NM highlight the model community development work being done in the small rural community. As well, Brunner announced two Value Added Producer Grant Awards to Mesa Ruiz, a local atole producer and Vivac Winery, and offered tours of some of the successful projects.
During the last seven years, the community of Dixon and its residents have participated in 8 USDA programs that funded a new library, improvements to the grocery store, solar assistance to a local cabinet maker, home repairs and the two aforementioned Value Added projects.
“I often get asked which rural New Mexico communities are most successful in using USDA funds and I always respond: Dixon.” Brunner continued, “This small but energetic community gets it and they stand as a comprehensive community improvement model for others to follow. Whenever I come to Dixon I leave inspired by their community spirit, activism and hard work to make their community better.”
Here are descriptions of the awards made by USDA Rural Development in Dixon, NM over the last 7 years:
1) Dixon Cooperative Market --Rural Development approved a Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) in the amount of $26,590 to repair the roof of the main coop building, upgrade the restroom and bring running water to the building. A second RBEG of $49,343 was used to
instal a commercial oven, upgrade the deli displays and refrigeration.
2) Embudo Valley Library –Received a $115,866 Community Facility loan and a grant to expand the library. The library now has space for 21,000 volumes, a 50% increase to the old collection. It also has tripled the number of public access computer stations from 4 to 12. The expansion will accommodate separate children’s and teen areas and offer adequate seating for individual reading, collaborative study and new restrooms.
3) Domitilia Archuleta a lifelong resident of Dixon, NM qualified for a RHS 504 grant to refurbish the home she and her late husband raised their 14 children. The work included; a new grade beam foundation, extensive repair to the roof. A handicapped accessible ramp and shower stall. Other repairs included a new water closet and repairs to the walls and ceilings. USDA funded another home repair for a resident that chose not to have their award information made public.
4) Los Ebanistas --USDA RD provided a $5,000 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to install a solar system at the Los Ebanistas office located in Dixon, NM. The four-kilowatt Photovoltaic system consists of 18 solar panels and is supplying enough electricity to offset 100% of the cost of the electricity used by the office and wood workshop. Los Ebanistas also donated the solar panels to the library.
5) Mesa Ruiz dba La Mesa Organic Farms received a $49,500 Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) to increase the distribution of his produce and other products to farmers’ markets throughout northern New Mexico.
6) Vivac Winery received a Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) to be used for working capital to process unprocessed wine grapes to wine in kegs. This will allow the winery to conveniently package locally grown product ready for consumption and distribution. The processing will be completed at the Vivac Winery facility and will assist in the creation of three new jobs and save seven jobs in the community.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.