Rural Texas Has a Problem—Alpine Found the Answer

In this episode of The Building Texas Show’s Mayoral Series, host Justin McKenzie travels to Alpine, Texas, to sit down with Mayor Catherine Eaves for a candid and substantive conversation about rural governance, emergency medical services reform, tourism growth, civic engagement, and the future of Far West Texas.Alpine serves as the gateway to Big Bend National Park and is positioning itself as the “Dark Sky Capital of Texas.” But beyond tourism, the city is facing real-world challenges—most notably the potential loss of its third-party EMS provider and the economic realities rural communities face in delivering essential services.Mayor Eaves, a former science educator and dual-credit professor with Lone Star College, brings a unique civic lens to leadership. From launching City Government 101 courses to forming a monthly leadership huddle with Brewster County, Alpine ISD, and Sul Ross State University, this episode highlights a replicable model of rural collaboration.Topics Covered:• The EMS crisis facing rural Texas communities• How Alpine is responding to ground ambulance challenges• The role of interlocal agreements in rural governance• Tourism strategy and historic downtown designation• Big Bend visitor economy impact• Dark sky tourism and branding• Sul Ross State University’s role in workforce development• Civic education and public engagementIf you're interested in rural economic development, Texas leadership, or the real mechanics of city government, this is a must-watch episode.Visit Alpine Texas: https://visitalpinetexas.comLearn more about The Building Texas Show: https://www.buildingtexasshow.com