Local Government Planning Fund

The Local Government Planning Fund is administered by the New Mexico Finance Authority and provides capital necessary for proper planning of vital public projects. The program supports planning activities for public infrastructure and related governmental needs. Eligible planning work may include preliminary engineering reports, long-term master plans, water conservation plans, asset management plans, economic development plans, affordable housing plans, flood inundation maps, archaeological clearances, environmental information documents, and energy audits. The New Mexico Finance Authority may give priority to qualified entities seeking funding for planning documents specifically identified in the Local Government Planning Fund Policies. Eligible applicants are Qualified Entities under the Local Government Planning Fund Rules. These include the State of New Mexico or any agency or institution of the state, counties, municipalities, school districts, special districts, community water associations, and Indian nations, tribes, or pueblos located wholly or partially in New Mexico. Political subdivisions and wholly owned enterprises of an Indian nation, tribe, or pueblo also qualify. There is no stated limit on the number of applications a qualified entity may submit, and a new application must be submitted for each proposed project. Local Government Planning Fund awards are generally composed of local match and grant funds, with grant awards not exceeding $100,000 per planning document. An entity generally may not receive more than $100,000 in Planning Grant funding during a 24-month period unless the New Mexico Finance Authority Board waives the applicable limitation because of additional availability of funds or critical need. Qualifying entities may receive an additional $100,000 per 24-month period for Metropolitan Redevelopment Act or Affordable Housing Act Plans. A local match is generally required unless an application qualifies for 100 percent grant funding or the local match requirement is waived under program rules and policies. Planning documents needed to cure urgent needs or address regulatory compliance, economic development, or affordable housing needs may receive 100 percent grant funding as provided under program policies. Funding is determined through analysis of the applicant's ability to pay for the planning document from available financial resources. The portion that cannot be cash funded from available resources, including unrestricted cash balances, is considered the applicant's Unmet Need. In determining the base planning grant award, the New Mexico Finance Authority evaluates the applicant's local median household income, local burden ratio based on applicable water, wastewater, or solid waste utility rates compared with the state average, and relative economic need. Maximum awards are determined using a sliding scale under the Local Government Planning Fund Project Management Policies. Applications are reviewed by New Mexico Finance Authority staff, the Credit Committee, and the Public Lending Committee, with technical and financial aspects evaluated according to established program criteria and policies. Applicants must first complete and submit the Local Government Planning Fund EnABLE Enrollment Form to LGPF@nmfa.net to obtain access to the New Mexico Finance Authority EnABLE online application system. The enrollment identifies a Primary Contact and may request access for a Secondary Contact and up to two designated consultants. Additional consultant access may be requested through LGPF@nmfa.net. Applications and required attachments must then be completed and submitted through EnABLE. Applicable attachments are identified within the application and uploaded where indicated, including a signed Application Certification form. Only the designated Primary Contact may submit the completed application. If information or required documents are missing, the system identifies the missing items; after successful submission, the application status changes from Started to Submitted. Applications are accepted monthly, and the application process usually takes approximately one month from submission through the funding determination. NMFA staff generally conduct application evaluations during the first and second weeks, followed by the Credit Committee meeting on the second Wednesday, the Public Lending Committee meeting on the third Wednesday, and the NMFA Board meeting and approval of awards on the fourth Thursday. Before grant funds are disbursed, the New Mexico Finance Authority determines that readiness-to-proceed requirements have been met, including completion and approval of the planning document by the reviewing agency. After the grant agreement has closed, NMFA may reimburse the grantee or pay the consultant directly for project expenses. Recipients must report to the Finance Authority at least semi-annually on the status of the planning grant. Program questions may be directed to LGPF@nmfa.net, 1-877-ASK-NMFA, or (505) 984-1454.

Prioritize planning documents identified in the LGPF Policies; Demonstrate the portion of project cost that cannot be funded from available financial resources as Unmet Need; Address local median household income, local burden ratio, and relative economic need used in award determination; Ensure all required questions and documents are complete before submission; Upload a signed Application Certification; Ensure the designated Primary Contact performs final submission