As part of the efforts to identify major issues facing businesses in the Grand Valley, the Chamber has completed an annual membership survey and two focus groups with current and incoming board members. Some of the issues are obvious, but others are not. In no particular order, the issues are:
- Economic Development and how all of the economic development partners can work together more effectively to bring jobs into the community through business expansions, business locations and business startups
- Workforce concerns are multiple including the brain drain of young professionals leaving the community, the lack of skills in the current available workforce, the perceptions about our education system and managing the huge generational shifts in the workforce
- The Regulatory Climate and how it continues to burden job creators is also multifaceted and examples ranged from the Clean Power Plan to health insurance to the Grand Valley Drainage District fees. 2016 is an election year and ballot measures are already being touted from universal health care to the availability of beer and wine in grocery stores. Then there are the candidates and impact of the outcomes in several key races in Colorado from President to U.S. Senator to statehouse seats.
Next steps for the Chamber are to analyze how to address these issues during the Board Planning Session on November 6th which will lead to the 2016 Business Plan being developed and approved by year end. The Chamber wishes to thank all those who have helped frame up these and other business issues for the leadership.
Click here to download full version of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce November 2015 Newsletter.