State of Change
In small towns in New Mexico and the West, life is changing quickly. More young people are moving away from rural places than into them. Some New Mexico communities are trying to escape generations-long boom-and-bust cycles, while others struggle to retain their identity in an economy flooded with tourists and newcomers. Internet connections that could power remote businesses in rural places lag behind urban centers.
New Mexico, along with the rest of the rural West, is in a state of change. Over the past year, a group of New Mexico news organizations investigated the challenges to building resilient rural communities, and found a lack of high speed internet holds communities back. Now, they bring you stories about the complex barriers to launching internet connections in most rural areas, and show you the tribes, towns and schools who are doing it better. This project is supported by High Country News and the Solutions Journalism Network, and is funded by the LOR Foundation.
Rural students learn how to code by participating in a supercomputing challenge.
Communities are embracing faster internet but rejecting better cellphone reception.
Across sovereign governments, a group of Southwest tribes prepares to launch their own network.
By expanding into broadband, Kit Carson Co-op provides high-speed internet to thousands.
A group of New Mexico newsrooms examines the future of broadband access in rural communities.
A ‘micro’ economic development program bolsters a community of telecommuters.
A former coal mining town takes measured approach to economic recovery.
The criollo cow can thrive in hot, dry conditions that are difficult for other breeds.
Local businesses keep jobs and money circulating within their communities.
To build a sustained community, the Navajo Nation experiments with entrepreneurs.
Booms and busts withered Farmington, New Mexico, but new initiatives could revitalize it.
A growing number of tribes manage their own clinics and behavioral programs.
An influx of immigrants is preventing economic stagnation in the Borderlands.
Rural towns explore ways to diversify their economies, from tourism to hospitality.
Truth or Consequences looks for ways to attract a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Some counties in the region buck the aging trend.
Cities may seem inevitable, but rural communities are finding ways to hang on.
A project looks at how communities are faring in rural New Mexico.
Today's Featured Stories
-
WATER POLICY ANALYST WITH WRA (BOULDER) Position Summary: Western Resource Advocates seeks a passionate Water Policy Analyst with knowledge of western water issues to join our Healthy Rivers Team to strengthen...
-
GILA NATIONAL FOREST 9+ acre inholding. Passive solar strawbale off the grid and next to the Continental Divide Trail in ponderosa pine/doug fir forest at 7400.
-
HIRING BEARS EARS EDUCATION CENTER DIRECTOR Conservation nonprofit Friends of Cedar Mesa in Bluff, Utah is hiring an Education Center Director to oversee the operation of the Bears Ears Education Center....
-
PROGRAM MANAGER, SUSTAINING FLOWS Friends of the Verde River, Cottonwood, AZ. Apply at https://verderiver.org/employment-opportunities/
-
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE - VERDE RIVER EXCHANGE Verde River Exchange - Friends of the Verde River, Cottonwood, AZ. Apply at https://verderiver.org/employment-opportunities/
-
CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER Teton County Planning & Building is hiring! Our ideal candidate is a team-player, a problem-solver, pays attention to detail, and can clearly communicate technical material...
-
ARCHITECTURE DRAFTSPERSON/PROJECT MANAGER Studio Architects is seeking a full time Architectural drafts-person/project manager with1-3 years of experience to join our firm. At Studio Architects our mission is to...
-
ASSISTANT MANAGER/TRAINEE, COLORADO RANCH needed for 16,000+ acre conservation property in south central Colorado. Qualified candidate would have experience working on a ranch or wilderness property, general forestry/fire management... -
FARM HAND &/OR NANNY IN ESCALANTE Nanny for 18-mnth-old. Yearly salary, vacation, health insurance. Spanish/other foreign-language native spkr prefrrd. -
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Washington Association of Land Trusts seeks an ED to build on WALTs significant success & to lead the association to new levels of achievement. See...
-
BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM STRAWBALE HOME IN WESTERN COLORADO! Secluded, energy efficient Southwestern home on 40 wooded acres. Broker - Rand Porter - United Country Real Colorado Properties. 970-261-1248, $425K
-
FORMER RETREAT CENTER/CONSERVATION PROPERTY FOR SALE 57 acres in Skull Valley, AZ, 17 miles from Prescott, year-round creek, swimming holes, secluded canyon, hiking/meditation trails, oaks, pines, garden, greenhouse. House, office building,...
-
ARIZONA PUBLIC LANDS ORGANIZER Title: Public Lands Organizer About the Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF) The AWF is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and assisting individuals and organizations...
-
HISTORIC RANCH HOME W/ 20 ACRES Historic 1893 Ranch Headquarters. 4 Bdrm, 3.5 Ba, 4000 ft2. Remodeled 2002. Includes 2 studio apts, stables, arena, workshop, 5 RV hookups. Chirachua & Peloncillo... -
VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL OPERATIONS The Vice President of Retail Operations will provide overall leadership and accountability for purchasing, product development, merchandising planning, visual merchandising, retail operational excellence, oversight and...
-
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Grand Staircase Escalante Partners seeks an experienced fundraiser with excellent communication and organizational skills.
-
PROGRAM MANAGER position in Phoenix with the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy.
-
ROADS END CABIN NEAR YELLOWSTONE Vaulted ceilings, two fireplaces, two bedrooms, loft, jetted tub, wifi. Forest, mountain views. Wildlife. [email protected]
-
ACCOUNTING CLERK Our director is seeking to employ the services of an Accounting Clerk to assist with various accounting and administrative tasks. This is a great opportunity... -
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY RADIO PROJECT Community Radio Project, Cortez, CO (KSJD & the Sunflower Theatre). Visit ksjd.org and click on the Executive Director search link. CRP is an EOE.