The SBRC is dedicated to investing in traditionally underserved and economically distressed communities, as defined by federal statutes. The organization is required to allocate 50% of its grant funds to these “distressed” areas, which face persistent economic challenges. Additionally, the SBRC has set aside at least 5% of its grant funds specifically for Tribal communities, ensuring that these often marginalized regions receive support for economic development.
The SBRC would prioritize seeks to assist the most economically distressed areas, including colonias and Tribal communities; the SBRC’s investments aim to exceed the goals set by the President’s Justice40 Initiative and Executive Order 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. The commission would also focus on projects that promote equal access to workforce participation, business development, and education, particularly targeting the most impoverished groups, such as families led by single parents. These efforts align with the broader goals of advancing racial equity, inclusion, and gender equality outlined in federal policies of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Executive Orders and the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality.
Investing in Underserved Communities and Assisting the Most Distressed Communities First.
Eliminating Barriers to Economic Development, Building Local Capacity, and Providing Technical Assistance.
Leveraging Commission Funds, Forming Partnerships, Reducing Costs, and Completing Projects.
Alignment with Administration Goals.
The SBRC serves some of our nation’s poorest communities, often lacking a substantial tax base to generate revenue and secure matching funds. Matching funds are required to compete for federal and state grants. For the most underserved and impoverished areas, the SBRC is committed to utilizing commission funds to co-invest with local, state, and federal agencies to reduce the burden on economically distressed communities..
The SBRC is required to assess its region’s economic and demographic distress level annually and to classify counties’ distress levels. The map depicts the economic status of the SBRC’s counties using the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) national index-based economic classification system.
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The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is a Federal-State partnership for economic and community development within the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
3655 Research Drive, Genesis Center-C
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001