NM EPSCoR will collaborate with New Mexico First, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that engages New Mexicans in public policy, to organize a two-day Town Hall meeting. The Town Hall will provide a forum for scientists, economists, and business people to develop consensus on how to support businesses impacted by a changing climate and decreased water supply. The meeting organizers will collaborate with NM EPSCoR researchers to develop a Background Research Paper for participants who will use it as a reference guide and learning tool.

Participants will be recruited from NM citizen stakeholders, the corps of NM EPSCoR scientists and economists, and from business leaders identified by the NM State Executive Committee. During the Town Hall Meeting, participants will engage in highly structured small group discussions as well as plenary sessions and will seek a consensus approach by the end of the second day. After the meeting, New Mexico First will produce a final report to use in presentations to community leaders, to advise policy-makers, and to inform the broader public of the Town Hall results.