USDA must fill spot for Rural Development director
Terry Brunner, the USDA’s New Mexico director for rural development, speaks at the Embudo Valley Library and Community Center in Dixon about the awarding of USDA rural economic grants and loans to business in the Dixon area.(Photo: Clyde Mueller/The New Mexican)
A recent search through the Sun-News archives turned up scores of stories about Terry Brunner helping rural communities in New Mexico. Here’s a sampling:
In December 2016 it was a $2.6 million grant and a $141,000 loan awarded to the Chamberino Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association to build a backup groundwater well, storage tank, water lines and piping.
In November, 2016 it was a $99,900 grant for the Mescalero Apache Tribe to work toward reopening one of its lumber mills.
In January, 2015 it was a $107,100 grant for a 564-panel solar array at the Burris Pecan Farm in Belen,
In 2014 it was funding for a sewage line extension to protect groundwater in Chaparral.
In 2013 it was assistance for residents in Santa Rosa whose homes were damaged by a large hail storm.
In January, 2012 it was more than $300,000 in grants for NMSU.
In late 2011 it was a $48,000 grant for a new energy-efficient system at Compass Components Inc. in Deming.
In September 2011 it was $40,972 for expansion of Rio Valley Biofuels in Anthony.
In March 2011 it was assistance to families who had their homes damaged by the Quail Ridge fire Silver City.
In February 2010 it was of $134,000 for Western New Mexico University to enhance its distance learning capabilities.
In December of 2010 it was assistance for Hatch to reopen apartments that had been damaged in the 2006 flood.
In November, 2009 it was $331,626 for Alamogordo to build a new 14,000-gallon water tank and 6-inch water lines.
For the past several years, Brunner has been a familiar partner for small communities throughout New Mexico as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development director for the state. But, the position has been vacant since the start of the year.
Last week, all five members of the state’s congressional delegation sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue calling on him to fill the position. The $1.7 billion provided to the state during the last seven years provided “crucial support during a time of poor economic growth in our state, especially for many rural communities,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter.
The bipartisan call from our members of Congress noted the unique needs of the state
“Given the diversity and unique characteristics of New Mexico, we believe that strong state director leadership is essential to providing robust and efficient levels of service for our struggling rural communities,” the delegation wrote. “New Mexico is a majority-minority state, with the highest proportion of Hispanic residents of any state and the second-highest proportion of Native Americans, and includes many unique and historic rural agricultural communities. Economic changes in the agriculture and other industries in all corners of our state are leading many communities to turn to USDA RD for assistance.”
The Trump administration has been slow to fill vacancies in a number of agencies. We are hopeful that this unified letter from all five of our members of Congress will prompt Secretary Perdue to move swiftly in getting this important position filled.
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