Special to the Bristlecone Tribune
On October 30th, Governor Lombardo released an Executive Proclamation declaring November of 2023 as Rural Communities Month in the State of Nevada. This declaration reserving an entire month for celebrating ours and other rural areas, towns, cities, and regions of the Silver State was written by The White Pine Chamber of Commerce. After lobbying the Governor’s office and advocating for the designation of this special acknowledgement, Lombardo signed the decree that gives long overdue attention to the majority of the state.
The language of the proclamation celebrates the Silver State’s rural communities in a variety of ways. More than a simple nod of gratitude towards the ranchers, farmers, miners, land managers, and stewards of these untouched and pristine mountains, valleys, and deserts, the Proclamation makes a declarative point to state governments and other agencies to rethink and recommit themselves to the rurals. The urban centers have for far too long sucked up all the oxygen in the room, not to mention the majority of the resources. Before this relatively new administration gets too comfortable, the White Pine Chamber of Commerce has stood up and said, Nevada needs to pay attention to what is happening in our region and take note of the accomplishments, contributions, and perseverance of this state’s rurals, leading in industry, commerce, and creativity.
November is a perfect time for rural cities, towns, and municipalities, non-profits, organizations, small businesses, employers, and industries to advocate for themselves while promoting their goods, services, and accomplishments. Trumpeting and championing our rural communities starts at home, with our united voices, all saying in very clear terms, our achievements are many, our resources are bountiful, our landscapes are breathtaking, and our lifestyles are simple, yet cultivated out of a rich historic and cultural heritage that trumps any urban development that often pull focus from the biggest part of our state.
Here, is the Proclamation in its entirety:
Governor Lombardo’s Executive Proclamation Declaring November as Rural Communities Month in Nevada.
Whereas: The vast majority of Nevada, by area, is made up of census tracts classified as “Country Roads” or “Sparse Spaces”, comprising most of Nevada’s area and represent approximately 11.4 percent of Nevada’s population; and,
Whereas: Rural communities in Nevada and throughout the United States are idyllic places to live and work, where people know each other, respect each other, and work together to benefit the community; and,
Whereas: Rural Nevada communities, like rural America are the economic engine that helped the United States become the world leader it is today; and
Whereas: Rural citizens possess and build a culture on their selflessness, creativity, history focused and community-minded spirit; and
Whereas: Rural communities make up some of Nevada’s oldest and most historic locations, preserving the West’s spirit and legacies of manifesting one’s own destiny; and
Whereas: Rural communities are the gatekeepers of the Silver State’s natural resources, protecting wildlife the ecological, environmental, and geographic wonders, as well as preserving and commemorating our state’s indigenous heritages; and
Whereas: Nevada’s rural areas often get outshone or out-reported by their larger urban counterparts, which is an oversight for the state is primarily rural, defined by statute as cities and towns with a population under 150,000 people, and warrant mention in their own right regarding business and economic development, as many are doing well despite their inherent limitations, such as smaller size, remoteness and more obstacles; and
Whereas: Rural communities represent a wide swath of diverse peoples, coming together and accomplishing economically viable and beneficial commerce across myriad industries, including mining, agriculture, education, textiles, cuisine, automotive, astronomical, aeronautical, gaming, healthcare, and tourism; and
Whereas: Rural communities are the heartland to Nevada’s urban centers, these traditionally overlooked communities are becoming destinations for financial growth with potential for unlimited prosperity.
Whereas: We seek this proclamation, in honor of the contribution to the state economic well being, as well as, commemorating and continuing an annual focus on rural centers, provides a renewed commitment of the state government and its agencies, entities, and organizations to seek more avenues to highlight, promote, bolster, assist, and contribute to the wellbeing of the rural communities that represent “the other Nevada.”
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