Tuesday, Sep 6 2011 12:25PM
The Stronger Economies Together program provides rural communities with job training and technical assistance.
A program created by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development will help numerous counties in Colorado and New Mexico advance their economic development through job training and technical assistance, the Trinidad Times Independent reports.
According to the newspaper, the Stronger Economies Together (SET) program, which began in 2009, will provide assistance to two regional teams, each with a mix of counties from Colorado and New Mexico.
"The best thing about [the program] from my perspective, is that it crosses state lines," Executive Director of Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development Steven Kelly told the paper. "These three counties have a lot in common with each other, and I think it's great that we're going to be able to work together to strengthen our economies."
Jim Isgar, USDA Rural Development director for Colorado, also stated the program should be beneficial for residents in both states. He said the SET program should enhance the region's local economies.
New Mexico also recently received funding from the USDA to create more jobs and help rural communities statewide as part of a grant program to improve transportation.