A Message from Eric Vigil, USDA RD Acting State Director

USDA Rural Development in New Mexico is open for business and here to serve our rural communities affected by COVID-19. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA Rural Development is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities and all the people who call them home during this challenging time. We have taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses, and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak:

Effective March 19, borrowers with USDA single-family housing Direct and Guaranteed loans are subject to a moratorium on foreclosure and eviction for a period of 60 days. This action applies to the initiation of foreclosures and evictions and to the completion of foreclosures and evictions in process.
Effective immediately until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees.We have extended application deadlines for our Rural Business Development Grant Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, and the ReConnect Program.

To learn more about Rural Development’s COVID-19 response visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus.

New Mexico Rural Development staff are working remotely. We remain dedicated to the timely delivery of our programs. I have been quite impressed with the way New Mexico’s rural communities are working together and truly stepping up to help each other through this time.

USDA Rural Development is here to help, and with our 50+ programs we can create prosperity in rural communities together. I believe that our programs truly make the difference for rural New Mexico and when we work together, America prospers. I encourage you all to take a moment and check out our programs at New Mexico https://www.rd.usda.gov/nm.

Please stay safe and healthy and together, we will get through this.

Eric Vigil, Acting State Director