In communities all over the country the size of Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and smaller, business people consistently talk about shopping local, supporting local businesses and keeping the money in the local economy. While sma
ll businesses generate new jobs and, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), “employ more than half of the working class in the United States,” they are also an extremely valuable asset to the local community.
Small business owners and their employees are an important part of the communities in which they live and work. It tends to make them recognize how their own decisions affect their neighbors and fellow businesses. Locally, you will find a small business owner, previous owner or employee in each and every seat on city council, volunteering at the local food bank down the street, or even on the board of the chamber of Commerce. You will find amazingly unselfish individuals like Leroy and Patsy Arguello who have owned numerous businesses in the area but always find time to enrich the lives of others in the community. Additionally, you will see business owners like Quint Shear who operates a successful small business but finds it important to serve on six community boards to make a positive impact. These are the types of people that truly provide a city or area with its unique community identity and our area is full of people just like them.
Lastly, these businesses and their employees are concerned about the long-term growth and sustainability of the overall business climate in the area. Small businesses need to stand out from the crowd to survive, so they must serve a legitimate need in the community and do it better than the rest. Grand Junction is home to many innovative and unique businesses recognized not just locally but nationally and internationally for their outstanding achievements in their industries. Wren Industries, led by Mike Sneddon, received the Aerospace/Electronics Manufacturer of the Year in Colorado, Industrial Screen & Maintenance, ran by President & Owner Lindsey Robinson, ranks 35th among the top woman-owned businesses in Colorado, and Casey. , owned and operated by Grand Junction native portrait artist Casey Dittmer, was awarded the Rise Award for being the International Maternity Photographer of the Year. Having a community of small businesses all striving to be unique, innovative and community-oriented results in a healthy commerce climate and well served, happy customers.
These are just a few of the plethora of reasons small businesses are vital and have become the backbone of a community, and why we strive to continually support and serve our small businesses at the highest level possible.
You Can Support Local Many Ways
We are sure many consumers are a bit confused by the messaging we and others have been communicating urging them to avoid crowds and then asking them to also shop locally this holiday season.
With that in mind, the Grand Junction Chamber has assembled a Holiday Shopping Toolkit that allows residents to shop locally while still exercising caution. The list, similar to our Takeout Toolkit contains links to local business websites and indicates whether they offer the ability to purchase online, as well as provide curbside or delivery services.
Don’t know what to get that special someone for Christmas? You can also purchase gift cards for local services, restaurants, experiences, and more! There is a wide range of options from perennial favorite Enstrom Candies to painting kits from the Palette.
Don’t forget, you can also support local by “getting social”. Like the page of your favorite businesses, share photos and leave comments on their posts, and don’t forget to leave a review!
So as you look for ways to support local this holiday season, we urge you to visit gjchamber.org/holidaytoolkit. If your business would like to be listed please contact us at info@gjchamber.org and we will follow up and make sure you are included.
As a reminder with Mesa County currently at the red level our Takeout Toolkit is still available as well and is a great resource for supporting our local business community.
Now, more than ever, it is important to support our local small business community.