Sarah Tober writes: Alliance is committed to helping community access quality careers.

Workforce is a cornerstone of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance’s mission which is why we are building a rural healthcare workforce, one pathway at the time.

In this Opinion column, published in the Durango Herald on May 15, 2026 the Executive Director of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance details our latest work with building up the rural healthcare workforce through the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline.

As a nimble collaborator to our public, private and philanthropic partners, the Alliance is often found in a space that may seem out of mission. However, incubating and launching economic impact programs, conferences and projects is work the Alliance excels at leading. Through Project RUN and our local partnerships, the Alliance is committed to helping members of our community access quality careers, professional growth and long-term workforce opportunities.

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Health care is one of the most in-demand and rewarding industries in our region. From mental health to dental care, patient services to administrative support, the opportunities are broad and growing. To date, the Alliance has helped 52 people find healthcare jobs or attain health care licensures, and have grant funding through the end of this year to continue helping others find their way in the healthcare ecosystem.

Project RUN is a collaboration led by the Alliance in partnership with Fort Lewis College and the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative—funded by a 1.25M Opportunity Now Grant—providing workforce development tailored to area industry and business needs. To learn more, visit ProjectRUNco.work

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