Richardson tags $17.2 M to
help chapters

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Sixteen key tribal infrastructure and planning projects across New Mexico have been awarded $5 million, Gov. Bill Richardson said Tuesday.

Tribal communities will receive an additional $12.2 million from other state, federal, and tribal governments for a total of $17.2 million.

The Tribal Infrastructure Fund Board reviewed 26 infrastructure project proposals totaling requests for more than $9.7 million. Proposals included water and wastewater systems, electrical power lines, community buildings, bathroom additions, health and emergency response facilities, and community planning and development assistance.

Torreon/Star Lake will receive $703,000 for a 19 mile power line extension project to benefit Navajo families who have never had access to electricity. Zuni Pueblo will receive $80,000 for the Shiwi T’sana Walking Trail Project.

The largest state Tribal Infrastructure Fund investment totaled $750,000 and will be used to fund Zia Pueblo Ambulatory Healthcare Center, a facility that will deliver primary and specialty care in a culturally appropriate setting. More than $1.5 million in additional leveraged funds will augment the state’s contribution.

“I am furthering my commitment to New Mexico’s Native American community by investing in much-needed infrastructure, planning and basic services,” said Richardson. “We are working to improve the quality of life in New Mexico’s tribes and pueblos.”

Other Navajo Nation projects receiving 2008 Tribal Infrastructure Fund infrastructure grants include:
• Chichiltah Chapter County Road 6 Improvement Project, $650,000;
• Crownpoint Chapter Tsin Ya Nal Kidi Bathroom Addition Project, $294,397;
• Thoreau Chapter County Road 27 Improvement Project — Phase 2, $400,612;
• Coyote Canyon Chapter House Renovation, $300,000;
• Ojo Encino Chapter Power line Extension Project, $269,288;
• Alamo Chapter Water Improvement Project, $500,000.
2008 Tribal Infrastructure Fund planning grants of $50,000 each were awarded to: Mariano Lake and Ramah Chapters, Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta and Santa Clara pueblos.
In 2005, Governor Richardson worked with the New Mexico Legislature to create the Tribal Infrastructure Fund Act to prioritize capital outlay funding for critical infrastructure projects that benefit New Mexico tribes and pueblos. A total of $18 million has been appropriated to the Tribal Infrastructure Fund over the last four years.