Bayard Public Library has hired a part-time Digital Navigator through a nine-month grant from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to help bridge the digital divide. The new service offers free one-on-one assistance with computer and smartphone skills, internet navigation and online safety, email, job applications, online government services and programs such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Future workshops and training opportunities are being planned based on community needs and feedback from a digital literacy survey open to Grant County residents.
Silver City’s Economic Development and Research Committee will meet August 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the upstairs conference room of the Town Hall Annex, located at 1203 N. Hudson St. The committee will discuss tax and local government distribution reports, lodger’s tax collection, vacant properties, comparable municipalities, a qualitative economic analysis and a survey of regional economic development organizations. The discussion will focus on local economic conditions, development opportunities and resources that could support future growth.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation is beginning a $2 million rehabilitation project on U.S. 180 south of Luna in Catron County. The project is focused on improving the condition of the existing highway and helping extend the service life of the roadway through the rural area. The investment is part of ongoing efforts to maintain New Mexico’s highway system and improve the long-term reliability of major roadways serving rural communities.
In other news:
New Mexico has moved up to No. 18 nationally for higher education, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings released Monday. The state climbed two spots from last year and has risen 22 positions since 2019, with affordability, enrollment and educational attainment contributing to the improvement. New Mexico ranked No. 2 nationally for low student debt at graduation and No. 8 for low tuition and fees, with state officials pointing to programs such as the Opportunity Scholarship as a major factor. The ranking comes as colleges and universities across the state, including Western New Mexico University, begin a new academic year.
