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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s appropriate to make this a tourist attraction.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
GUESTS:
\nMark Lautman, Economic Architect
\nBeverlee McClure, President & CEO, Association of Commerce & Industry
\nAlan Webber, Co-Founder, Fast Company magazine
\nKathie Winograd, President, Central New Mexico Community College<\/p>\n
LINE GUESTS:
\nDede Feldman, Former State Senator
\nTrip Jennings, Executive Director, New Mexico In Depth<\/p>\n
LINE PANELISTS:
\nRob Nikolewski, Editor, New Mexico Watchdog
\nLaura Sanchez, CEO, New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n
CORRESPONDENT: Megan Kamerick, NMiF Producer<\/p>\n
HOST\/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant<\/p>\n
The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick.\u00a0Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this\u00a0program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.\u00a0Subscribe to the\u00a0New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Episode 706 for air August 9, 2013<\/p>\n