Episode 706 | Economic Development, State Penitentiary Tours, Horse Slaughter Facility…

This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, as the state struggles to emerge from recession, business leaders and economic development experts are pushing for a more aggressive plan on jobs. Four experts talk about how the economic development landscape has change in the last few years. They also discuss what strategies the state needs to explore and how New Mexico can leverage its inherent strengths to grow the economy and create more jobs.

The Line opinion panel discusses plans by the Department of Corrections to possibly open the old state penitentiary for tours to the public. The shuttered prison was the site of a gruesome prison riot that resulted in 33 deaths in 1980 and some question whether it’s appropriate to make this a tourist attraction.

The Line also discusses the latest developments in the horse slaughter plant case. A federal judge last week temporarily halted plans by companies in New Mexico and Iowa to start slaughtering horses this week. Several Native American tribes oppose opening the plants, while others, including the Navajo Nation, support it. The New Mexico facility also suffered a fire recently that may have been arson.

GUESTS:
Mark Lautman, Economic Architect
Beverlee McClure, President & CEO, Association of Commerce & Industry
Alan Webber, Co-Founder, Fast Company magazine
Kathie Winograd, President, Central New Mexico Community College

LINE GUESTS:
Dede Feldman, Former State Senator
Trip Jennings, Executive Director, New Mexico In Depth

LINE PANELISTS:
Rob Nikolewski, Editor, New Mexico Watchdog
Laura Sanchez, CEO, New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce

CORRESPONDENT: Megan Kamerick, NMiF Producer

HOST/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 706 for air August 9, 2013