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...]
Episode 16: A Rural Economy Organically Comes Together
Since the 1980s, Ray Kitson has been running businesses in Salida, Colorado, including rafting, retail, and lodging businesses. In 2004, he sold all of those and started a restaurant called the Boathouse Cantina. Kitson worked with others to form the Arkansas River Trust, which helped the community see the value of having a river corridor for recreation. Organizers teamed … [Read more...]
Episode 15: Wendell Pryor on Rural Resilience
In Episode 13 of the Rural Business Show we spoke with the key players in a Colorado resiliency study. This study identified characteristics of strong rural economies. It observes “that for a community to be economically resilient there needs to be a mix of active community and business leaders with foresight. These individuals must develop and foster a culture of commitment, … [Read more...]
Episode 14: Rural Tourism
Welcome to Episode 14 of the Rural Business Show. Here we talk about rural tourism with Chris Moran, Public Relations Specialist at Nevada Division of Tourism (TravelNevada). The rural tourism industry is growing. Travelers are drawn to the genuine charm unique to small towns and their surrounding natural attractions. Many areas are taking full advantage. They do this … [Read more...]