N.M. office helps rural towns seek stimulus money

In seeking economic-stimulus money, many rural communities are at a disadvantage because of the resources needed to apply and lobby for it. New Mexico has set up a state office to help those communities. “I think the initial concern for rural communities is that they’re not getting sufficient information, and that’s part of my office’s job,” said Toney Anaya, the head of the new Office of Recovery and Reinvestment. “We’re almost in a position where we can start reaching out to these communities.”

Anaya hopes to add grant writers to his staff, but he acknowledges that smaller communities still face challenges. Stimulus money requires "shovel-ready" projects, which are often difficult for communities with scant resources, writes Mike Sievers for the Socorro-based Mountain Mail. (Read more)