An intensive embedded community experience, led by Deb Brown and Becky McCray, in Lander County, Nevada, pop. 5,766, began with conversations with County officials. There were extensive tours of Battle Mountain, Austin, and several of the tiny villages in the very rural county. The county wanted to concentrate on improvements and beautification. It became apparent there were already many efforts underway to accomplish these goals. The missing piece was better communication between residents and the county to make the programs known. Even though the number one resident concern was weed abatement, it wasn’t widely known that the County Conservation Department would refund residents some of the cost of products they bought to take care of the weeds. Efforts that will continue to strengthen the appeal of the county and the capacity of community leaders have included:
Since Nevada law allows for tiny homes, the county is working with a new mining company to build tiny homes for new employees, instead of the proverbial trailer parks.
Tourism has a grant to conduct a feasibility study on the repairs needed on the old closed grocery for a new visitor center in which there will also be incubator spaces, meeting rooms, and more.
Beautification projects are being led by both county people and local residents.
There is also grant funding enabling local businesses to carry out their own tourism marketing efforts.