Economic Development

The connection between education and income is pretty clear – the longer you stay in school, the more money you make over a lifetime.  A college graduate on average makes $1 million more than a high school dropout.  A high school drop out is also more likely to be in poverty, twice as likely to slip into poverty in a single year, and more likely to be living on public assistance. 

So, the decision to stay in school or not seems, on the surface, like a personal choice that only affects an individual. Right? Sadly, no. 

This personal decision quickly affects the ... Continue Reading

When we talk about how we build a stronger economy, whether it’s for our county, state or the nation, we focus on attracting specific types of industries, economic gardening of local businesses and maximizing the assets we have.  One of our most significant assets is exactly the one upon which The Bridge of Southern New Mexico is focused – our future workforce. 

Translation – Today’s high school or college student is tomorrow’s employee, entrepreneur, innovator, and leader.  When they succeed, we all succeed. 

One of the strongest economic development strategies we have as a state is to improve our graduation rates – ... Continue Reading

Alarmingly low graduation rates and the related forecast for under-qualified future employees are huge challenges facing business today.  That’s why business and industry leaders are bringing their gifts and expertise into the schools to help generate the products they need: a strong pool of well-trained, highly-qualified workers.

The stakes are high for everyone involved.  Students who dropout suffer lifetime consequences that range from limited earning potential and dependence on social services to life-long health and wealth issues.  Schools operating on reduced budgets lose even more when students walk out and don’t come back.  Business ultimately absorbs the costs of an unqualified, ... Continue Reading