Emaliah Sawyer writes: “Build the workforce you wish you had.”

Durango’s biggest export isn’t craft beer or mountain views – it’s our young people. Every May, when graduates receive their diplomas, they often also pick up a one-way ticket out of town.

In this Opinion column, published in the Durango Herald on January 7, 2026, Emaliah Sawyer reflects on her experience interning with the La Plata Economic Development Alliance and makes a clear case for why internships and early-career opportunities are one of the most effective ways to strengthen our local workforce.

For young professionals and businesses alike, internships should be a high-return investment for all parties involved. They allow students to be trained early in industry-specific skills and businesses to “test drive” potential employees before committing to hiring. When businesses invest in the development of local talent who want to remain in our community, they ultimately reduce their onboarding costs over time. In a region where recruiting externally is expensive and often unsuccessful, growing talent from within is not just smart – it’s necessary.

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At the La Plata Economic Development Alliance, strengthening our regional workforce is essential to long-term economic prosperity. We are dedicated to building strong talent pipelines that connect local people to local opportunities, support early-career growth, and help businesses develop the workforce they need to succeed.

By focusing on upskilling, career pathways, and partnerships with education and employers, the Alliance works to ensure our economy can grow from within. To learn more about our current workforce development efforts, visit projectrunco.work

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