We don't need to re-invent the wheel.  There are so many successful programs to look at around the country in communities like ours.  The biggest obstacle I see is the "outsider" skepticism.  A friend tells me the mind set in Luna County is tribal; the tribe would rather risk a member stealing from them than trust someone new from the outside.   The local ranchers and farmers have run the county for 100 years.  I think it's time they agree their vast knowledge of farming isn't putting food on the tables of their neighbors. "If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always got."  Maybe it's time to swallow that false pride and reach out to people who have had success. Your kids deserve better.

We are a destination for retirees, let's build job opportunities with that in mind, be it medical, residential, or recreation. Let's use our partnerships with the Senior Center, High School, and County/City to provide activities for retirees.  The (rehabilitated) pool could be used mornings by seniors, afternoons by the high school and weekends by the whole community. Grants favor collaborations among established non profits and government entities.  More jobs.  Thinking bigger, a larger community center could host indoor activities like pickleball, basketball, community classrooms, swimming pool.  Activities that are not limited by the weather outside.

We can provide an SBA incubator to fast track the creation of housing opportunities for the disabled, in home hospice for vets, and group home assisted living residences. We can extend our transport hubs for medical appointments with online reservations for trips to Silver City, Tucson, Las Cruces, El Paso.  Again, more jobs.

We can talk about revising the codes to invite co-housing, tiny home, opportunities that group willing clusters of ranchette properties for  active retirees seeking special interest communities like art, astronomy, archeology/hiking/camping, horse back riding,  gardening. There are professional facilitators that teach community living skills.  Tourism opportunities create more jobs.