Playas, New Mexico: From Bustling Company Town to Training Ground for the Future

 In the desolate landscape of southwestern New Mexico, a forgotten ghost town whispers tales of a boom and bust past. This is Playas, a census-designated place with a population of just 25, but a history as vibrant and dynamic as the changing tides of industry and national security. Born in the 1970s as a company town, Playas was built by the Phelps Dodge Corporation to house employees of its then-new Hidalgo Copper Smelter. A thriving community blossomed in the desert, boasting over 270 homes, six apartment buildings, a post office, a grocery store, a medical clinic, a bowling alley, a rodeo arena, and even its own ZIP code. At its peak, Playas was a bustling town of 1,100 residents, complete with two churches and a sense of community that defined small-town America.

But the winds of fortune shifted. As copper prices plummeted, the smelter, once a beacon of economic prosperity, was forced to close its doors in 1999. Residents were given a year to evacuate, leaving behind their homes and memories in the dust. The once vibrant town became a ghost town, a chilling reminder of the fragility of economic reliance on a single industry. Yet, Playas refused to be forgotten. In 2003, New Mexico Tech, a public university renowned for its research and training, saw an opportunity in the abandoned town. With federal funding secured by Senator Pete Domenici, the university purchased Playas and its surrounding 1,200 acres. Today, Playas has been reborn as the Playas Training and Research Center (PTRC), a modern training facility for first responders, counter-terrorism units, and the United States Air Force. Supported by tens of millions of dollars in federal funding, PTRC offers a diverse range of training programs, including:

* First responder and hostage negotiation: Equipping police, firefighters, and other first responders with the skills and knowledge to handle critical situations effectively.

* Urban warfare: Simulating realistic urban warfare scenarios to train soldiers for the complexities of modern combat.

* WMD exercises: Preparing first responders and military personnel for the possibility of a nuclear, chemical, or biological attack.

* Terrorism-related border security programs: Training border patrol agents and other law enforcement officials to identify and apprehend potential threats.

PTRC's unique location and facilities attract customers from around the world. The center offers a variety of programs for individual or group training, ranging from short, intensive courses to longer, ongoing programs. With its state-of-the-art facilities and experienced instructors, PTRC is at the forefront of training for the future. Beyond its training focus, Playas also serves as a platform for research and development. Scientists at New Mexico Tech conduct research in various fields, including bio-security, environmental protection, and leadership development. This diverse range of activities makes Playas a hub of innovation, where the lessons learned from the past are used to shape a more secure and sustainable future. Playas, New Mexico is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and adaptability. From a thriving company town to a ghost town and now a training ground for the future, Playas has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of the times. As the winds of change continue to blow across the desert landscape, Playas stands as a symbol of hope and progress, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, new opportunities can blossom and thrive.