DEMING – In an effort to help rural communities catch up with major cities, the United States Department of Agriculture has implemented a plan to bring small towns together to strengthen local economies. Stronger Economies Together is aimed at strengthening an area's development plans and making them more sound for the economic future of the area.

SET will be helping areas like Deming by partnering the city with those in nearby counties to be able to boost the economy by means of business and job development. Through cooperation and a strength in numbers approach, SET will bring communities together to build a better overall economy.

“The general concept is that you can get more accomplished if you pull resources from regions to try and look at building an economy in a region as opposed to looking out for just yourself,” said Mario LaFragola, business adviser for the New Mexico Small Business Center.

LaFragola works hand-in-hand with the community providing assistance for those looking to start their own business or those who wish to make their business more successful.

Luna County’s unemployment rate as of February 2016 dropped to 18.6 percent from its previous 20.6 percent in January. Jobs are being created and the positions are being filled but it will take time.

“There are people who are enthusiastic about becoming entrepreneurs. Once they open up their business they become employers,” said LaFragola.

While the focus of SET is communities working with communities, Deming must first ensure that the city is able to provide resources for the partnerships. In doing this, a prosperous local economy with plenty of job growth outside of just seasonal employment is needed.

“I think we have to start with the kids and show them there is a lot more that you can accomplish than just working six months out of the year,” said Cassie Arias, head of the Deming-Luna County Economic Development Department. “We have to start infusing them with that drive to work.”

The DLCED has been working with the schools as well as several business in the area to show students the benefits of having a good job and the different varieties of employment that exist in their communities.

SET is an intensive process with many steps to combining the resources of communities and takes time for the results to become apparent. According to the DLCED, the process is about halfway through for businesses and the economy of Luna County.

For Full Article