It would reduce agency turf struggles, stop the recycling and isolated approach of using the "same old programs" and allow for the potential brought about by new technology and communication. Start by bundling the resources of such programs as economic development, small/micro business, education and job training that "actually" connect students/workers to new jobs created with a renewed and diversified economic base, to take advantage of the global economy driven by the Internet. Use the "economic enterprise zone" program to attract and diversify a community's economic base.

With the Internet, geography and human talent are not the problem — the world is at the doorstep of every community, and every individual is empowered. By renewing their vision, commitment and expectations, our elected leaders and public administrators open the vista and renew hope of rural families where they can realize the only boundaries are those they create for themselves.

With education/training and economic investment in these communities, our leaders and public administrators can begin to raise the expectations that more living-wage jobs can be created, and people can be prepared to take them. The greatest resource our state has is the human resource — the talent within each person, young and old, waiting to be mined.

---

Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net