Speaking at the MVEDA Business on the Border luncheon on Tuesday, Tracey Bryan discussed the positive impacts that The Bridge of Southern New Mexico is having on helping to develop a skilled workforce in Southern New Mexico.

Bryan’s presentation (linked from graphic) noted the national and local dropout crisis and the steps that the Bridge is undertaking to address the issue in Dona Ana County.  One of the first steps that the Bridge was involved in was the creation of New Mexico’s first Early College High School. The Arrowhead Park Early College High School enrolled its first freshman class in June on the campus of Dona Ana Community College. The new school is being built at a construction cost savings of $92M over the cost of a comprehensive high school. The construction of the new school is scheduled to be completed in August, 2011.