Tom's Travels

I was invited out to Truth or Consequences by the New Mexico Rural Alliance to take part in their annual Rural Forum. I flew out to El Paso, Texas where I was met and driven to Las Cruces. On Tuesday 22nd we drove to Truth or Consequences, the site of the 2008 New Mexico Rural Forum. I stayed at the Sierra Grand Lodge and Spa, an old hotel that dated back to the hayday of the hot spring resorts.

This year's Rural Forum was particularly interesting because on April 22 the county (Sierra) voted on an tax increase to contribute funds to the the development of infrastructure necessary to attract Space Port America to the region. Two out of three counties in the region had to vote for the tax in order for the state to support the initiative and Sierra voters approved the project. My presentation was the next day. Sierra voters approved the tax increase by a wide margin so the crowd was excited and lively. My presentation was on preparing for tomorrows economic development opportunities.

On Thursday we returned to Las Cruces, and on Friday I flew home from El Paso.