In rural communities such as ours, it takes everyone rowing in the same direction to accomplish significant tasks, which alone one person may not be able to pull off. Community and Economic Development is conducted by community members – that means all of us. It is a process where local people can create more jobs, income, and infrastructure, and also help with things like improving networks, using community assets in new ways, and even changing attitudes and thinking differently about how problems are solved.
This year, May 9-13, brings one of our favorite weeks of the year, Economic Development Week. This is a week recognized by the International Economic Development Council and economic developers everywhere focus on the positive impacts of the economic development industry including creating jobs, career development opportunities, and improving the quality of life. We would like those here in our Grand Valley to know how we are supporting community and business development each and every day.
Just as community development consists of many different aspects, economic development garners different facets of business and businesses. Our existing business retention and expansion efforts at the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce are robust and one of those key contributors to ensuring a strong local economy. We have conducted over 625 visits since the program’s inception in the 2nd quarter of 2016, helped retain many local businesses, and have assisted countless companies with shipping, workforce, and regulatory issues. We have a plethora of options to help businesses. Everywhere from just listening and giving a bit of advice, to jumping in to help with workforce issues, access to capital, and even business personal property tax savings. Our efforts all culminate with the true desire of supporting our businesses and helping them grow.
Here in Colorado’s Grand Valley, we use all of our economic development partners to help move the needle of our community’s economic success, the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Retention & Expansion program is an outstanding example of that.