Economic Development Course this week at Western

Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

Course members

The New Mexico Economic Development Course, being held this week at Western New Mexico University, began Sunday with an orientation and a reception for students and invited guests.

The course is presented by WNMU, in cooperation with the New Mexico Economic Development Department, the New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network and the New Mexico Rural Alliance.

About 32 students have signed up for this year's course, with most coming from throughout New Mexico.

One student, who lives in Clayton, and also writes romantic novels, came to this year's course to fill in for others, who could not attend from her area. She serves as a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board.

Georgia Bruce Sneed moved to Silver City in 1978 and lived in the town until 1998. After moving to Illinois to take care of her elderly mom and her ill husband until they passed, Sneed moved back to New Mexico, settling in Clayton. "I learned about and experienced gathering and branding cattle. I would help out by taking care of cattle for others."

She described herself as a "forever romantic. I write modern-day Western romance. I have a new one coming out in September, called 'The Miracle of the Heart.' It takes place in real-life places. My first book, 'The Jamerson," centers around Northwest New Mexico over a 30-year span of time."

Why is she taking the course? "I want Clayton to realize the assets it has and to revitalize the area. I want to know how to make Clayton grow again."

Another student taking the class is Jodi Crocker, the new WNMU Foundation director. "I took the job officially on July 1, but, although we’ve been in Silver City for two years, I've been doing grad work and this summer I wanted to do it. I've spent maybe two weeks in the office."

She said the university is an integral part of the community. "The economic development piece is a great tie in for understanding how the university can support economic development of the community. I think the relationship piece between Western and the community has been somewhat stale. I want to be a face in the community for the foundation and for the university. My primary goal is to renew relationships and start new ones."

"Another piece for people to know is that we have a young family, so we have tried to be involved in the community," Crocker said. "My whole goal and purpose is to be active as someone who hasn't been here a long time, so I have a fresh perspective. All aspects of the community are important to me. This course is an incentive for me to contribute to the community."

Her husband, Jack Crocker, provost and vice president of academic affairs, welcomed the students and guests, in place of WNMU President Joe Shepard, who was out-of-town, and the whole university family. "We understand the importance of economic development. The university has become a major part of Silver City, and it is a major economic driver of the community."

Noreen Scott, course faculty member, noted the course is nationally accredited. "It's an opportunity for you to connect the dots to benefit your community. It's a beginning and a place for you to meet other New Mexicans who become friends for life. After I took the course in Tucson, I came back and said: 'We have to bring this to New Mexico.' I approached the then-president of Western, Jerry Valentine, who had come to the area from the Heartland Institute. Western embraced it and now we are on our third president. John Counts was here for 20 years, and Shepard has a great vision."

"This course is a week focused on how to bring out the best in our community and to make New Mexico a better place," Scott said. "We have been through challenging times, but we, as economic developers, have the opportunity to build communities. You really have to have the tools. This is the beginning of your journey. Whether you go on to become a certified economic developer or take the tools and ideas back to your communities to make a difference."

She said she was there representing, Linda Kay Jones, the long-time director of the course, who is ill.

"I look forward to your feedback to help us improve this course," Scott said. "I hope 10 years from now, you can come back and tell us how you made a difference.

"This course couldn't happen without Linda McArthur," Scott said. "She's the glue that holds it together."