CEDSSummary Background Industry Clusters
Healthcare & Education
Healthcare and education support employment while enabling residents and other industries to participate and grow.
- Service Capacity
- Workforce Pipelines
- Community Stability
Introduction
Essential Services Are Economic Anchors.
Healthcare and education are economic infrastructure. Hospitals, clinics, schools, colleges, and training programs support residents directly and make every other cluster more capable of hiring and retaining people. The CEDS profile reports approximately 22,700 jobs in 2024, compared with 20,600 in 2020—an increase of about 2,100 jobs.
Chaves and Otero have major institutional anchors, while access and staffing needs vary across all five counties. The strategic questions are practical: can residents reach care, can employers find trained people, and can education pathways connect to careers without requiring people to leave the region?
01At a Glance
Two Years, Side by Side
2020 and 2024 observations · Bars begin at zero.
View the Full Metrics Table and Sources
| Indicator | 2020 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional GRP Share | 10.30% | 11.10% | + 0.8 pp |
| Hospitals / Major Campuses | 9 | 12 | 33% |
| Employment | ≈ 20,600 | ≈ 22,700 | 10% |
| Average Annual Wage | $49,100 | $55,200 | 12% |
| LQ (Regional Average) | 1 | 1.1 | ↑ |
(Sources: NM DWS 2024; BEA 2024; NM Higher Education Dept. 2024; NM DOH Health Workforce Report 2024)
02Cluster Typology by County
This following illustrates the cluster status and key role each county plays within the healthcare and education industries across Southeastern New Mexico.
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Cluster Status by County
| County | Cluster Status | Key Role |
|---|---|---|
| Lea | Mature | Regional medical services hub (Hobbs); strong vocational education presence at NMJC. |
| Eddy | Transforming | Growing healthcare and nursing sector; developing allied health programs. |
| Chaves | Star | Regional healthcare and education epicenter; multiple hospitals and higher-ed institutions. |
| Otero | Star | Defense-linked healthcare and education cluster anchored by Holloman AFB and NMSU-Alamogordo. |
| Lincoln | Transforming | Expanding rural healthcare access and K–12 workforce development programs. |
(Source: Purdue Cluster Analysis 2024; SNMEDD County Profiles 2024; NM DOH 2024)
County-by-County Overview
Lea County (Mature)
Lea County has developed into a regional medical center serving southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. The Lea Regional Medical Center, community clinics, and urgent care networks provide both employment and vital access to care. New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) and the Hobbs Municipal Schools system form the backbone of the county’s education infrastructure, offering technical programs in nursing, health sciences, and workforce trades aligned with the regional economy.
Eddy County (Transforming)
Eddy County’s healthcare sector is expanding rapidly to meet the needs of its growing population and energy workforce. The Carlsbad Medical Center and satellite clinics in Artesia have added diagnostic, surgical, and telehealth services. Eddy’s education ecosystem is building allied health pipelines through partnerships between high schools, NMSU-Carlsbad, and local employers. This cluster’s continued transformation depends on recruitment incentives for medical professionals and housing development for healthcare staff.
Chaves County (Star)
Chaves County serves as the region’s healthcare and higher education anchor. It hosts multiple hospitals, specialty clinics, and educational institutions, including Eastern New Mexico University–Roswell (ENMU-R), New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI), and the Roswell Independent School District. Chaves’ healthcare sector employs over 6,000 workers and drives complementary growth in elder care, rehabilitation, and medical transport. ENMU-R’s nursing and allied health programs are expanding to address statewide shortages, while NMMI’s leadership training programs contribute to workforce development across multiple industries.
Otero County (Star)
Otero County’s cluster integrates civilian, military, and educational components. The Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center (GCRMC) is a major regional employer and serves both civilian residents and Holloman AFB personnel. The presence of Holloman AFB creates unique healthcare needs and steady demand for skilled medical staff. NMSU–Alamogordo and local school districts provide robust career pathways in STEM, nursing, and aerospace-related education, linking human capital directly to regional diversification goals.
Lincoln County (Transforming)
Lincoln County faces rural access challenges but is steadily expanding healthcare capacity through telehealth partnerships and mobile care units. Lincoln County Medical Center and smaller clinics in Ruidoso and Carrizozo provide critical services to residents and tourists alike. On the education front, the county emphasizes K–12 career technical education (CTE) and workforce development in hospitality, health, and environmental science — ensuring that rural students are equipped for both local and regional employment.
03Industry Trends and Technology Shift
Telehealth Expansion
The pandemic accelerated telemedicine adoption, and the region continues to invest in broadband and digital tools to expand healthcare access for rural communities.
Nursing and Allied Health Shortages
Workforce shortages remain acute across the state. Regional partnerships are addressing this through accelerated credentialing, tuition assistance, and cross-training.
Workforce–Education Alignment
Community colleges and universities are increasingly aligning curricula to meet employer needs in health sciences, early childhood education, and STEM fields.
Public Health Integration
Local health departments are adopting population-health models that combine preventive care, nutrition, and behavioral health to improve outcomes and reduce emergency care costs.
Education Technology and Dual Enrollment
Expansion of hybrid and dual-credit programs is improving college readiness and credential attainment, especially in Lea, Eddy, and Otero counties.
04Regional Risks and Structural Stresses
Workforce Recruitment & Retention
Rural areas face chronic shortages of nurses, teachers, and specialized healthcare professionals.
Funding Volatility
Healthcare and education budgets are vulnerable to state and federal funding cycles.
Access Inequality
Remote communities lack consistent broadband and transportation access to care and education.
Aging Infrastructure
Many facilities require modernization to meet current technology and safety standards.
Population Health Challenges
High rates of chronic disease increase healthcare costs and workforce absenteeism.
05Key Insights
Key InsightsHealthcare Workforce Pipeline Expansion
Healthcare Workforce Pipeline ExpansionSupport nursing, allied health, and behavioral health training through ENMU-R, NMJC, and NMSU-Alamogordo.
Facility Modernization & Capital Investment
Facility Modernization & Capital InvestmentLeverage state and federal grants for hospital, school, and campus upgrades.
Education-to-Employment Alignment
Education-to-Employment AlignmentStrengthen partnerships between schools and employers to build stackable credentials and local career pathways.
Public Health & Community Resilience
Public Health & Community ResilienceExpand prevention, wellness, and mental health initiatives to support a stable regional workforce.
Telehealth & Broadband Integration
Integrate broadband expansion into healthcare access planning, especially in Lincoln and Eddy counties.