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Published: 29 July 2014 29 July 2014

WASHINGTON, DC – The Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, based in Silver City, New Mexico, received a 2014 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation for the Borderless Soultions project.

The "Borderless Solutions" campaign was created by the Southwest New Mexico Council of
Governments (SWNMCOG) and the Southeast Arizona Government Organization (SEAGO).
Both regions that are made up of eight counties, their municipalities, local non-profits, and
other agencies to create a sustainable regional economy for the betterment of the quality of
place for the two region's residents, business, and workforce.

 

The partnership between the two economic development districts is vital to learn from one another, find creative ways to strengthen the economy on both sides of the state border, help eliminate high unemployment rates and continue to build the relationships that already exist, others that are starting to flourish, and others that need to begin. The vision of this partnership is to help each region's economy by playing off each other's strengths and helping to build each
region's opportunities. This vision is extremely important as both regions are rural, and  in
some of the areas are even considered frontier.

The Southwest New Mexico Council of Government's role has been to encourage members of
the SWNMCOG board and the economic development committee, along with other economic
development organizations to attend the events happening to build the relationships that are
needed in southeastern Arizona because of the similar industry, interests, and events that are
similar in both regions.

"For 28 years, NADO's Innovation Awards have recognized regional development organizations for their hard work and commitment to promoting economic development in rural and small metropolitan communities across the country. Award recipients have created innovative solutions that build on the unique strengths and challenges of their regions, all while continuing to promote sustainable economic growth not only now, but for many years to come," said NADO President Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission in Woodstock, VT.

NADO is a Washington, DC-based association that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies. The association's Innovation Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and partnering organizations for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation's regions and local communities. Award winners will be showcased during NADO's 2014 Annual Training Conference, August 23 - 26 in Denver, Colorado.

For more information about the award-winning project, contact the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments at (575)388-1509.