WHEREAS, the vast majority of Nevada, by area, is made up of census tracts classified as "Country Roads" or "Sparse Spaces", comprising most of Nevada's area and represent approximately 11.4 percent of Nevada's population; and

WHEREAS, rural communities in Nevada and throughout the United States are idyllic places to live and thrive, where people know each other, respect each other, and work together to benefit the community; and

WHEREAS, rural Nevada communities, like rural America are the economic engines that helped the United States become the world leader it is today; and

WHEREAS, rural citizens possess and build a culture through their selflessness, openness, creativity, history focused and community-minded spirit; and

WHEREAS, rural communities make up some of Nevada's oldest and most historic locations, preserving the West's spirit and the legacy of manifesting one's own destiny; and

WHEREAS, rural communities are the gatekeepers of the Silver State's natural resources, protecting wildlife the ecological, environmental, and geographic wonders, as well as preserving and commemorating our state's indigenous heritages; and

WHEREAS, Nevada's rural communities often get outshone or outreported by their larger urban counterparts, which is an oversight for the state is primarily rural, defined by statute as cities and towns with a population under 150,000 people, and warrant mention in their own right regarding business and economic development, as many are doing well despite their inherent limitations, such as smaller size, remoteness and more obstacles; and

WHEREAS, rural communities represent a wide swath of diverse peoples, coming together and accomplishing economically viable and beneficial commerce across myriad industries, including mining, agriculture, education, textiles, cuisine, automotive, astronomical, aeronautical, gaming, healthcare, and tourism; and

WHEREAS, rural communities are the heartland to Nevada's urban centers, these traditionally overlooked communities are becoming destinations for financial growth with potential for unlimited prosperity;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of November, 2023 as

RURAL COMMUNITIES MONTH IN NEVADA