Economic development is often measured by big announcements, a new business, major investment, new jobs or a ribbon-cutting. But the reality is that these accomplishments begin much earlier, often with a simple conversation.
At the Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation (CCEDF), we are learning to recognize and celebrate the small wins that create the foundation for long-term growth. Progress does not always come with a press release. Sometimes, it is a business owner agreeing to explore an opportunity, a school district discussing a workforce partnership, a community leader sharing an idea, or two organizations discovering a way to work together.
These moments matter. Economic development is about building relationships, listening, connecting resources and creating opportunities. It requires conversations with businesses, schools, local governments, community organizations, regional partners and residents. Not every conversation becomes a project, and not every opportunity results in an immediate announcement. However, every conversation helps us understand our community and identify where we can make a difference.
Over the past several months, CCEDF has worked to strengthen those connections while exploring opportunities in workforce development, business recruitment, entrepreneurship, housing, outdoor recreation and community marketing.
We are also learning an important lesson: when an opportunity presents itself, we have to be prepared to act quickly. Opportunities do not always wait for us to be ready. If we take too long to respond, an opportunity can quickly pass and move to another community.
That means we must work together to identify and remove roadblocks. Instead of immediately asking, “Why can’t we do this?” we need to change the conversation to “How are we going to make this happen?”
That shift in mindset can make a tremendous difference.
It is easy to focus on what has not happened yet. We see vacant buildings, workforce challenges and projects still in the planning stages. But when we step back, there is much to celebrate.
New partnerships are forming. Businesses are showing interest in working with students. Funding opportunities are being pursued. Community leaders are having important conversations. Ideas that once existed only on paper are beginning to take shape.
Those are wins. Economic development is not the responsibility of one organization or one individual. It takes a community willing to communicate, collaborate and act when opportunities arise.
Cibola County has tremendous assets, talented people and opportunities waiting to be developed. Our responsibility is to continue having the conversations, building relationships, removing barriers and turning possibilities into action.
The next big success story may already be sitting at a table somewhere in Cibola County.
It may simply need us to ask: “How are we going to make this happen?”