Q/A
Jonathan Taylor: New direction in coal county
Las Animas County wanted a different perspective on economic development, so for the first time ever they went out and got someone to do just that.
Like other coal towns across the nation, Trinidad has seen decline. Jobs left and so did the people. But the small town of less than 9,000 people is on the up-and-up.
A year ago Las Animas County, just north of the New Mexico-Colorado border, hired an economic director for the first time in the county’s history. For larger counties with tourism, real estate and infrastructure to support large companies, a person to handle economic development is deemed essential.
For Trinidad and Las Animas County the time for somebody to grow the economy is finally right.
“We had to take a hard look in the mirror and decide what the city and what the county needed,” said Trinidad city manager Gabe Engeland, as reported by the Trinidad Chronicle News when Jonathan Taylor was hired for the position.
“What we decided is that we need a joint position that focuses on economic development.”
That’s when Taylor came on board.
The young East Coast transplant is exactly the opposite of what happens in rural communities. As young people are moving away to urban areas, Taylor moved in to tackle economic development.
The following is an interview with Taylor about moving to rural Colorado from North Carolina, seeing the potential in Trinidad and building on it.
I read that when you introduced yourself to Trinidad City Council for the first time you joked about how young you look. How old are you? And how did you end up in Trinidad?
I recently turned 31 in January. I ended up in Trinidad due to applying for the Director of Economic Development for the City of Trinidad, in partnership with Las Animas County. Prior to this position, I was the Executive Director for the then-Washington County Partnership in Eastern North Carolina.
I became interested in the West when I did a 10-day backcountry backpacking trip through the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks three years ago. After that experience, which was my first out-west, I really had the desire to do my own “Teddy Roosevelt Experience.”
So when I came across this position, I said “eh, what the hell, lets apply for it.” So I did. After five interviews, one in person, I was offered the job. I mulled it over obviously as this was a huge transition, and ultimately took it.
As to my humor. I believe that government has received a bad name in terms of bureaucracy and lack of empathy and relatability due to experiences that the public have. It’s a basis of my philosophy that relatability through humor and professionalism can instill confidence with the public.
This is the first time Las Animas County has had an economic development director. Is that an advantage for you?
One would think that being the first is a tremendous advantage, but surprisingly it is not. Prior to this position I was the first for my prior employer and helped build that organization from the ground up to begin their own process of economic development and tourism management.
The two positions are tremendously similar in the fact that the public and fellow colleagues can sometimes have unrealistic expectations and as well as not fully understanding the importance of locally-driven economic development.
What was your number one goal when you came into this job?
My number one goal that I have had since I’ve been here is to build a sustainable model and process for future economic development. Rural economic development takes generations to accomplish. What we start today in Trinidad will not be realized for at least five to 10 years — this is true in any rural and remote community. So it is critical that I offer our city council the best policy options that will be successful for long-term planning and benefit the maximum number of people.
My other goal was to reestablish Trinidad as a regional leader and to get more state visibility in Denver. Due to our remoteness, Denver sometimes forgets about places like Trinidad — and honestly, they have forgotten about Trinidad in the last five years. Policies recently on the state level have had a negative impact on our local economy. So in my efforts, we hired a contract lobbyist that is full time working on behalf of the City of Trinidad and our rural interests.
Rural areas all over the state suffer from the same problems as Trinidad. How do you get creative about growing the economy?
I would have to disagree that rural communities all over the state suffer from the same problems as Trinidad. Overall, all rural communities suffer from the rural-urban divide that recent state policies have created — that is not just unique to Colorado, but to most states nation-wide. Trinidad was a primary source for coal and natural gas for the state of Colorado. Due to environmental protections without job training or income assistance due to those policies, Las Animas County lost 10 percent of its population from 2010–2014 — by far the worst in the state. Also, with the redistribution of the mineral impact revenues and the decreasing amount of those available funds, it is hard for Trinidad to even consider rebuilding its economy without getting creative.
Due to Amendment 64, cannabis has become a legal product within the State of Colorado and Trinidad has welcomed that industry with enthusiasm. In addition to cannabis, the Space to Create Project, which was primarily community lead, assisted in expanding the local artistic economy and community. Trinidad also understands that being half-way between Denver and Santa Fe, as well as being four hours away from national parks, ski resorts, and larger urban areas — we understand that we are the basecamp to Colorado. We encourage the development of our economy that surrounds the one-night trip mentality.
We have taken a new approach to traditional tourism and crafted creative ways in expanding the regional approach, but as well as appealing to the natural enthusiasts, cannabis tourism, the Artistic Trinity with Taos and Santa Fe, as well as promoting that we are the last best non-gentrified and affordable community in Colorado.
There has been good news for Trinidad’s economy lately — average age is declining, average income is increasingly slightly and sales tax increases. What part does recreational marijuana play in all of this?
Without the progressive policies of the City of Trinidad in its relationship to cannabis, Trinidad’s economy would not be as robust as it is today. So, it is the primary reason for all of this growth.
Do you see marijuana as a springboard for Las Animas County economic growth?
Short-term yes, long term no. It is never smart to throw all your eggs in one basket in dealing with the local economy. It is just a matter of time before New Mexico legalizes it, which will have a tremendous impact on Trinidad. However, the city has positioned itself on sustainable budgetary path.
In the short-term we are using this industry to update all of our necessary infrastructure to increase outside investments while the revenue is present.
There’s obviously other big projects happening, like ArtSpace — affordable housing for artists. Are there other sectors you’re hoping to attract?
We are investing heavy resources into the gravel bike and mountain biking communities. We currently have planned over 100 miles in this outdoor activity with plans to link Raton, Trinidad Walsenburg together with trails. We are also leveraging our cultural heritage and our regional assets of the NRA Whittington Center and Trinidad’s Trinidad State Junior College number one in the nation gunsmithing school to cultivate the art of the gun and the cottages industries associated with that.
What’s Trinidad’s big selling point?
Have you ever walked in a downtown and really felt some sort of experience or the thought that this is a pretty cool place? That is Trinidad. It is the most preserved Western, Victorian town in the West. In certain locations, we have the original brick streets from the 1850’s. The historical charm and artistic endeavors are unsurpassed here.
You’ve been in Trinidad for a year, there are some obvious recent successes in the economy, what’s next?
I have been fortunate to be extremely successful in the implementation of our new programs and initiatives. The next step, which is a continual process, is to ensure that the community is taking the lead and that I assist in their endeavors where I can be effective. I want to make sure that Trinidad is sustainable and that confidence in the community continues to rise in all areas of civic life.
