Anybody traveling though the Southwest on Interstate-40 has  seen the billboards holding the tried and true slogan “Tucumcari Tonite.”  
They have been there for years and I’m sure they inspire travelers to find a hotel and eat breakfast the next morning in Tucumcari.
But as soon as they come, they go. And that is the problem.
Tucumcari has steadily decreased in population over the years and the business base has eroded.  Everywhere you look there are empty shops, dilapidated buildings, unkempt streets and houses that are literally falling down on themselves.
People who live here have fewer options than ever when it comes to buying things, from the basics like food to house furnishings and clothing. As a result, people take trips to surrounding cities like Amarillo and Clovis in order to have some options.
Right now the only thing keeping this city afloat are those tired travelers and others who are interested in driving down old historic Route 66. But how long can that last?  
And revenue from tourists certainly isn’t going to stop the ever-decreasing population or bring fresh businesses into town to revitalize the area. What is going to happen when fewer people decide to trek down the Mother Road or opt to stay the night in a livelier town with more options for the Route 66 enthusiast?
If Tucumcari is to do more than merely survive, things have to start changing. If we want more for our town, we all have to start taking an active role in that change. An important place to begin is with city leaders who must aggressively pursue businesses that are looking for new homes.  
This town desperately needs jobs; it needs to be infused with companies that need employees and businesses that make and sell products. And, if we don’t get those jobs, we’ll lose even more people who feel compelled to move away to places that offer opportunities and a better life.   
The more people we lose, the harder it will be for struggling local businesses to keep their doors open. Eventually they’ll lose the battle and join the growing number of abandoned storefronts and run-down buildings that line our streets.
So, what can we do to save Tucumcari from the fate suffered by so many other small towns across the country? How can we keep businesses open, attract new ones and create some opportunities? And, what about the next generation getting ready to join us in the working world, many who are already looking to nearby towns for college and careers?
For starters, we have to start taking an active interest in the future of Tucumcari before it is too late.
Fortunately, there is a lot you can do and you can start right now. You can attend city meetings to see what is being done to attract businesses, improve streets, boost the tax base and encourage economic growth.
You live here and know the issues we face. Your ideas are valuable.
And, if you don’t think enough is being done, you need to show up and say that too.
Finally, you can also spend your dollars locally as often as possible. Local businesses can only survive if they make enough to keep the lights on. If you spend your money elsewhere it’ll only be a matter of time before we find more empty shops, more empty homes and become just one more ghost town on old Route 66.

Jacquelyn Grinder recently moved to Tucumcari from Phoenix to be close to family.  She can be contacted at:
theprofessionalwriter@yahoo.com