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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BIRDS OF PREY NCA PARTNERSHIP - DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING DIRECTOR Background: The Birds of Prey NCA Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Boise, Idaho, which was established in 2015 after in-depth stakeholder input...
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SOUTHWEST BORDERLANDS INITIATIVE PROFESSOR OF NATIVE AMERICANS AND THE NEWS MEDIA Southwest Borderlands Initiative Professor of Native Americans and the News Media The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University is...
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MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 
AWF seeks an energetic Marketing and Communications Director. Please see the full job description at https://azwildlife.org/jobs
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DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS SW REGION The Southwest Communications Director will be responsible for working with field staff in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico to develop and execute detailed communication plans...
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THE SILVER LEAF CO-HOUSING DEVELOPMENT An intentional community designed for aging in place. Green built with Pumice-crete construction (R32), bamboo flooring, pine doors, T&G ceiling with fans, and maintenance free...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE OIL & GAS (CFROG) is a Ventura County, CA based watch-dog and advocacy non-profit organization. cfrog.org
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TED SCRIPPS FELLOWSHIPS IN ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM Take your journalism skills to the next level and deepen your understanding of environmental issues by applying for the 2019-2020 Ted Scripps Fellowships in Environmental...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WINTER WILDLANDS ALLIANCE
WINTER WILDLANDS ALLIANCE POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Winter Wildlands Alliance seeks an experienced and highly motivated individual to lead and manage the organization as Executive...
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CONSERVATION DIRECTOR The San Juan Mountains Association is seeking a visionary leader to spearhead its public lands stewardship program in southwest Colorado. For a detailed job description...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT CASCADE FOREST CONSERVANCY The Cascade Forest Conservancy seeks a passionate ED to lead our forest protection, conservation, education, and advocacy programs.
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HUNTING ADVOCACY NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mountain Pursuit is a new, bold, innovative, western states, hunting advocacy nonprofit headquartered in Jackson, Wyoming. We need a courageous, hard working, passionate Executive Director...
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CURATOR, DRAPER NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM The Draper Natural History Museum (DNHM) at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center of the West in Cody, WY, invites applications for the Willis McDonald, IV...
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WANTED TO BUY
Couple seeks quiet, private, off-grid acreage in area with no/low cell phone service and no/low snowfall. Conservation/bordering public lands a plus. CA, OR, WA, ID,...
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32 ACRES IN COLORADO ROCKIES WITH YURT 20mi N of Steamboat Springs, majestic views, aspen forest, year-round access, yurt, septic, solar electric, seasonal ponds, no covenants, bordering National Forest. Ag status. $449K....
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SEEKING BREAKOUT LEADER AND COMMUNICATIONS/DEVELOPMENT EXPERT IN SE UTAH Conservation nonprofit Friends of Cedar Mesa in Bluff, Utah is hiring for two positions: Communications & Development Manager/Director (remote work possible) and a Deputy Director...
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QUALIFY FOR CA INDUSTRIAL HEMP LICENSE? Former northern Sierra winery, with 2208 sq.ft. commercial building, big lot, room to expand.
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COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE The dZi Foundation is seeking a FT Communications Associate with a passion for Nepal to join our team in Ridgway, Colorado. Visit dzi.org/careers.
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EXPERT LAND STEWART Available now for site conservator, property manager. View resume at http://skills.ojaidigital.net.
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CONSERVATIONIST? IRRIGABLE LAND? Stellar seed-saving NGO is available to serious partner. Package must include financial support. Details: http://seeds.ojaidigital.net.
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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...
