Llano Estacado Cooperation: A Necessity for Rural Economic Survival
Problem:
It has become painfully obvious that any economic development plan for
the Llano Estacado region must address the excessive cost to communicate
between rural cities in the region and Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock has become
the nearby rural cities "area of significant economic interest".
Lubbock depends on sales taxes (over 40%, almost 50% of its total sales
tax) from non-residents in neighboring communities. Consumers and retailers
spend hundreds of dollars per month on long distance telephone charges
from calls to and from Lubbock. Rural community schools spend hundreds
of dollars per month calling each other to coordinate activities between
themselves. Literally hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent each month
by Lubbock retailers with toll free inbound 800 telephone numbers, and
by consumers calling Lubbock long distance for telemarketing, communicating
and telecommuting to the Lubbock trade area.