Visiting with New Mexicans is one of the most important ways I stay in touch with our state's priorities. Earlier this month, I traveled to Western New Mexico to get an update about programs we've been working on together and to hear about ways I can continue to be a good partner, particularly on the issues of rural development, expanding broadband access and improving health care.
I had a great visit in the small community of Pine Hill, near Gallup, where I learned more about how local leaders are using their talents and traditions to create jobs and encourage healthy lifestyles.
With help of a $50,000 federal community development grant I supported, the Oso Vista Ranch Project is working with Native Foods and the El Morro Valley Cooperative to establish a small blue corn processing facility, a Ramah Navajo farmer's market and educational workshops that include training on growing native vegetables and making native foods.
I was excited to celebrate the Oso Vista office expansion and tour one of the community farms to see the excellent results coming out of these projects. I look forward to ensuring they can expand by helping them access federal resources like the USDA Rural Development program. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development, I'm proud to champion USDA's programs to strengthen our rural communities.
During my visit, I also heard about plans to expand broadband Internet access. I've been a leading advocate for expanding broadband in rural areas and on tribal lands like Ramah Navajo because no matter where you live, you should have access to the Internet. Expanding broadband is key to economic development and would also expand education and health care services to community members - like distance learning and real-time classroom connections at NMSU-Grants, which would help create jobs and lower unemployment. Broadband would also allow the Pine Hill Clinic to connect with doctors from UNM Hospital. Using telehealth technology, field health workers and EMTs can better serve the community.
Improving health care in Indian Country is another important priority of mine, and I was pleased to cohost a health care workforce roundtable at UNM-Gallup. I joined local health care experts to talk about ways we can create partnerships to strengthen education and career pipelines and help meet the demand for health care jobs in Western New Mexico.
As health care reform takes effect, the demand for health care jobs will increase. Through these partnerships, we can put people to work while improving health care services across New Mexico.
Smart investments and close collaboration in places like Pine Hill and in Gallup are empowering Native American and rural communities. I'm so proud of the work that local leaders are doing. By continuing to work together, we can build stronger, healthier communities.
