Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP)
Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP) supports rural New Mexico communities with loans for water, wastewater, and solid waste projects to improve infrastructure and address pollution control.
Funder: New Mexico Environment Department
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Loans at 1% interest for up to 20 years; repayment begins one year after project completion
Summary: Low-interest loans support water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure projects in rural New Mexico communities.
Key Information: Eligible applicants include qualifying Mutual Domestic associations, water and sanitation districts, municipalities under 20,000 residents, and counties under 200,000 residents.
Description
The Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP), administered by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), provides low-interest loans for water, wastewater, and solid waste projects in rural New Mexico. Funding is made available by the New Mexico Legislature. The program finances infrastructure improvements and pollution control, including water pipelines, sewer construction, system rehabilitation, treatment plant improvements, and non-point source projects such as septic tanks.
Support also extends to water rights acquisition and solid waste facilities for collection, disposal, storage, and recycling. Related project needs—including engineering studies and design, inspection, easements and rights-of-way, legal costs, and equipment purchases—are eligible for financing.
