Rural students learn how to code by participating in a supercomputing challenge.
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.
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
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PROGRAM OFFICER, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, NOVO FOUNDATION 
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ARMY OF THE DOG A new generation of monkey wrenchers hits the Front Range?
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ANNIE CLARK TANNER FELLOWSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES The Tanner Humanities Center and the Environmental Humanities Program of the University of Utah seek an environmental writer to offer classes in Utahs Environmental Humanities...
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ALASKA STATE DIRECTOR
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Idaho Conservation League (ICL) seeks an individual to lead this 45-year-old organization as executive director, to carry on ICLs work as Idahos leading voice...
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IDAHO RIVERFRONT: 2+ acres, 400+ feet on Snake River, 2800 sf residence, NWF-certified wildlife habitat, excellent hunting, fishing, birdwatching, stargazing, sunsets & panoramic views. In the heart...
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WILDEARTH GUARDIANS IS EXPANDING - THREE JOB OPENINGS Guardians is expanding and looking for a few great people to join us in protecting and restoring the wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and health...
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SUNNYSIDE MARKET SEEKS NEW PROPRIETOR Organic grocery/cafe at Glacier Bay needs a vibrant leader. Love good food, community, and Alaska? Join us!
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NO INDIVIDUAL HEROES: OURAY MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM Ouray County, Colorado, a popular tourist destination, has dramatic mountains and amazing winter ice climbing. Challenging terrain and high altitude can push visitors to their...
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CALIFORNIA PROGRAM ASSOCIATE - TAHOE AREA National conservation organization seeks a regular, full-time California Program Associate-Tahoe Area. Position works closely with California-based program staff and National Forest Foundation staff to provide...
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CALIFORNIA PROGRAM COORDINATOR - TAHOE AREA National conservation organization seeks a regular, full-time California Program Coordinator-Tahoe Area. Position works closely with California-based program staff and National Forest Foundation staff to provide...
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CALIFORNIA PROGRAM MANAGER - TAHOE AREA National conservation organization seeks a regular, full-time California Program Manager-Tahoe Area. Position works closely with California-based program staff and National Forest Foundation staff to provide...
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CALIFORNIA PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, SOUTHERN CA National conservation organization seeks a regular, full-time California Program Associate-Southern CA. Position works closely with California-based program staff and National Forest Foundation staff to provide...
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THE BOOK OF BARLEY -
Collector's Item! The story of barley, the field crop. 50 years of non-fiction research. www.barleybook.com
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TEMPORARY ASSISTANT EDITOR Are you a climber and a writer who is passionate about mountain literature? Do you love searching through old alpine journals for stories of esoteric...
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OWN YOUR OWN CANYON - 1400 SF STRAW-BALE ECO-HOME ON 80 ACRES - 3 HOURS FROM L.A. 1400 sf of habitable space in a custom-designed eco-home created and completed by a published L.A. architect in 1997-99. Nestled within its own 80-acre mountain...
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GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR Great Old Broads for Wilderness seeks a full-time grassroots leadership director to oversee all aspects of the Grassroots Leadership Program. This includes ongoing development of...
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RIVER TRIP LEADER & EDUCATOR Colorado Canyons Association (CCA) is a growing nonprofit organization fostering community stewardship of our National Conservation Lands with a focus on Dominguez-Escalante, Gunnison Gorge and...
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RIVER GUIDE AND EDUCATOR Colorado Canyons Association (CCA) is a growing nonprofit organization fostering community stewardship of our National Conservation Lands with a focus on Dominguez-Escalante, Gunnison Gorge and...
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POLICY AND RESEARCH ASSOCIATE The Center for Western Priorities (CWP) is a nonpartisan communications and policy center that serves as a source of accurate information, promotes responsible policies and...
