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Economic Development & the West

Ketchikan calls itself “Salmon Capital of the World.” Does the title still fit?

Long since fish canneries built Southeast Alaska’s signature town, the trade is now being used to attract tourists.Continue readingKetchikan calls itself “Salmon Capital of the World.” Does the title still fit?

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Economic Development & the West Health & the West

Urban, rural and tribal: how three Wests diverge on cannabis

The West led the charge to legalize marijuana. As it becomes big business in many cities and towns, some others view it with distaste grounded in moral qualms or concerns about criminal cartels. Will growing revenues help sweeten the pot?Continue readingUrban, rural and tribal: how three Wests diverge on cannabis

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Economic Development & the West Up close

Idaho is increasingly a bullseye for Californian migrants

The state has gone from being an also-ran in the population sweepstakes to the country’s fastest-growing.Continue readingIdaho is increasingly a bullseye for Californian migrants

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Economic Development & the West

Astride Two Wests, Colorado County Faces a Tricky Economic Balance

With outdoor recreation in its east and fossil-fuel resources on the west, can Garfield County develop an economy that serves both ends?Continue readingAstride Two Wests, Colorado County Faces a Tricky Economic Balance

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Economic Development & the West Energy & the West

As Plant Faces Closure, New Mexico City Weights Bet on Clean Coal Technology

With the state committed to decarbonizing its electricity supply by 2045, Farmington’s coal-fired power plant and mine are set to shut down. Faced with the loss of their largest employer, city leaders are considering whether to get behind an uncertain carbon-capture technology, or turn to renewables and the tourist economy. Continue readingAs Plant Faces Closure, New Mexico City Weights Bet on Clean Coal Technology

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Economic Development & the West Energy & the West

Beyond the Coal Boom: Powder River Basin Residents Look to a Diversified Future

The nationwide decline of coal is testing the resilience of the Powder River Basin. Residents used to a thriving economy, a top-notch education system, and an excess of job opportunities are learning to live with less. Continue readingBeyond the Coal Boom: Powder River Basin Residents Look to a Diversified Future