We have been spending many hours surveying the market for a potential business location in the South Western Region (region # 9) of Colorado. Pouring through data, seeing the tourist sites, and understanding the market there. Meeting with officials, business people and visiting businesses we learned quite a bit about the region and the future prospects there for someone opening a business.
One of the main cities we took data from and drove around talking to real people there was the City of Cortez. Which is just North of Four Corners and is a big trade partner with Farmington, NM and sees a lot of tourist traffic traveling to the state parks and federal parks there, namely Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings. It also receives traffic traveling to and from Durango and Telluride.
First off the numbers and population stats look good to us in that 35% of the population is 25-54 and that is both our age range to hire from and our biggest marketing sector for car washes and detailing services. Up the hill and around the corner in Durango that stats were a little higher as retirees with money have moved in there. Higher age and higher economic socio status. Good money flow from that group. Also it has driven up housing costs. Durango imports most of its labor from Cortez and about 5000 people come into work in the city every day and only 800 leave to work each day.
Cortez has a huge Navajo population and they have mingled with others and provided a good strong and very reliable base of labor for many non-techy type jobs. One-third of the population rents and does not own homes and that number is growing as retirees move in and drive up property values making it difficult for local young couples to buy homes. Much of the data we searched out from Fort Lewis College matched our findings and observations.
http://www.soba.fortlewis.edu/sbdc
The population increase of Denver is matched in South Western Colorado with about 8% in the last decade increase. From 2001-2002 up 1.78%, strong growth. Statewide Colorado saw about 1.5 ? 1.6% over all. And you can see that growth in Montrose, Grand Junction, Boulder, Parker, Colorado Springs, pueblo, Greeley, Fort Collins, Aurora, Denver Highland Ranch, Loveland, etc.
Many of those moving in area doing so with second homes for Summer to get out of heat in places like Vegas, Arizona and lower NM. It is Country Type living and the family values and community is strong and very nice. Safe place. Only San Juan County declined and drastically at 2.13 %, which is a small-populated area and therefore the numbers are skewed. Demand for labor is up and unemployment is down. Increased demand for labor exceeded 16% since 1999 and job labor rates climbed and the demand was mostly in retail and in services for the wealthy older people moving in. Also in tourism as increased after 9-11 since most of the area is traveled to by automobile and tour bus. They expect another 4% increase in the next five years for labor, meaning labor rates are improving and therefore quality of life is improving. 17% of the area is owned by Native legitimate Indians and nearby the Ute Tribe has a casino, which is one of the largest area employers.
It appears it would be a great place to run a business especially if you exported out of the area and needed a hard working and reliable labor supply. We liked what we say in South Western CO and feel it might just be what you are looking for, so think about it.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.worldthinktank.net/wttbbs
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareBusinesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More
Possibly THE most frequently asked question of me is "What... Read More
With the help of balanced scorecard strategy map, it is... Read More
Strategic alliances are increasing at a rapid rate. It is... Read More
Is your business growing as fast and effectively as it... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
Please take a moment before you read any further and... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
Business plan financial projections seem daunting because they are so... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains serves mid-size and large clients... Read More
By cranking up others development to meet your business needs,... Read More
Whether you are seeking capital for your company or are... Read More
Before becoming a netpreneaur, I was an entrepreneur. First, I... Read More
Although North Americans were the dominant population on the Internet,... Read More
If ever there were an industry where we want zero... Read More
No matter what business you plan to start in your... Read More
Writing a business plan is not an easy endeavor, nor... Read More
The first step in starting a restaurant is proper planning.... Read More
Want to become more strategic? Add these traits to your... Read More
Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More
American Eagle Outfitters and Wet Seal Stores have issued statements... Read More
I love the excitement of starting up a new home... Read More
To stop a computer virus you must understand how it... Read More
After 128 years of business, a household word, Montgomery Wards,... Read More
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
Too much goal setting and strategic planning can leave you... Read More
To Grow (Catapult) Your Business That's Why.When it's in your... Read More
Strategic alliances are increasing at a rapid rate. It is... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
Writing a business plan to help you direct and manage... Read More
People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More
Would you like to jumpstart your online or offline business... Read More
If you are looking for a partner, funding, angle investor... Read More
Many companies are reluctant to dive into outsourcing ocean because... Read More
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More
If you own a pressure washing business one of the... Read More
All investors greatly desire and are motivated by a clear... Read More
In today's rapidly changing and highly competitive markets, many privately... Read More
The first step in starting a restaurant is proper planning.... Read More
"Begin with the end in mind," says Stephen Covey in... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
Businesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More
In 1989, Sony founded its Institute of Wisdom at the... Read More
A focus group is a group of employees or current... Read More
If you are in the parking business and own or... Read More
I'm not talking about posting the HBO schedule on your... Read More
Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More
The first task before hiring a contractor for home remodeling... Read More
From time to time there seems to be a flurry... Read More
Strategic Planning |