The new Simulated Workplace initiative in West Virginia’s public schools is making a positive impact on rural workforce development in that state. The West Virginia Department of Education worked with numerous businesses and industries throughout the area to design the program. This initiative helps schools implement a workplace environment in all Career and Technical Education … [Read more...]
Episode 20: Rural Workforce Development
A key part of a strong rural economy is a talented workforce. Achieving this takes a collaborative of business owners willing to invest in the next generation of employees and educators willing to work with employers to provide job experience to students. Rural businesses can take the initiative in preparing local youth for future employment, according Brent Parton, the … [Read more...]
Episode 19: Keys to Creating a Vibrant Small Town Main Street
Silver City MainStreet fosters economic development in Silver City, New Mexico’s historic downtown. The organization does this through collaboration and promotion of downtown events, improvements to and preservation of the historic district, and the development of new and creative uses for downtown buildings. The program is a 2011 recipient of the Great American Main Street … [Read more...]
Episode 18: Rural Pathway Project
The Rural Pathway Project (RPP) in New Mexico is assisting communities with building up their own tourism assets. Suzy Lawrence is the Tourism Development Coordinator for the New Mexico Tourism Department and recently talked about the project and how rural communities can build their local economies through tourism. Rather than simply send money to communities, the project … [Read more...]
Episode 17: Building and Maintaining Success
Shawn Gillis moved to Salida, Colo. with his fiancé in 1999. He has experienced first hand the growth of the economy there. It took over three decades, but Salida morphed its struggling business climate into a popular outdoor destination and diversified its economy in the process. As the Chaffee County seat created a vibrant tourism base, it expanded other industry sectors … [Read more...]