$140,000 in grants given in '09 to help homebuyers

First National Bank of Santa Fe, with the assistance of Homewise and grant funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, in 2009 awarded $140,000 in to help local families buy homes. That amount is expected to be even higher this year.

Homewise is a neighborhood housing service. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas provides HELP (Home Equity Leverage Partnership) grants to very low to moderate-income first-time homebuyers to help with down payments and closing costs.

In 2010 to date, First National has awarded five HELP grants and plans to continue utilizing the program, a statement from the bank said.

For more information, contact Homewise at 983-WISE.

Funds meant to bridge technological divide

The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration has announced a $10.6 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investment to help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve education and health care in New Mexico.

The grant to the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District will fund the deployment of high-speed Internet infrastructure across the counties of Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, and northern Santa Fe, and to five Native American tribal communities.

For more information, call Moira Vahey at 202-482-0147.

Workshop on preventing identity theft Wednesday

Siri Atma S. Khalsa, a Santa Fe Alliance member and Certified Financial Planner affiliated with Financial Network Investment Corp., will present "Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft" at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Ghost Ranch Conference Center, 401 Old Taos Highway.

For more information or to register, call 505-920-0210. Free but seating is limited.

Securities and advisory services are offered through Financial Network Investment Corp., member SIPC.

Grants available to create health-focused programs

UnitedHealth Group has announced that grants of up to $1,000 are available for local organizations and schools looking to create health-focused programs for youth.

The HEROES grants can be used to create hands-on, interactive service-learning programs that reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity.

Previous grant recipients have used the funds to plant community gardens, build fitness tracks, develop healthy cookbooks and more.

To obtain an application or find out more information, visit www.YSA.org/HEROES.