gh Durango is somewhat anti-business unless you are willing to join the club of the New West idea and sell high-end nick nacks, which not all store owners were making a lot of money, similar to Palm Desert CA, Carlsbad CA, downtown shops of OH, Jackson Hole WY, Whitefish MT or Sun Valley ID and places like that. Lots of competition in the area and many of the businesses are boutiques run by people willing to wither the off years such as the recent fire year, and drought periods where the National News downgraded the area and scared travelers who took those locations off their lists. Recovering now, but no small businesses are breaking records. We did see a number of vacant shops to park trucks in the 1000 –2000 square foot range as well as many in the 5000 to 20,000 range.

The growing Cortez City has about 8,200 projected by years end. Many more women than men about 2% difference. They have now also been growing wheat. They have been doing the mailings and

We were impressed with South Western Colorado as a good place to hang your hat and a pretty good place to run a business. Great labor supply, good transportation and excellent tourist flows. The town is growing in Cortez and up the hill in Durango as well. Their nearest trading partners Montrose and Farmington NM also helped with money flows to the area. We like the area and thought it was completely economically viable and an excellent choice especially for manufacturing.

About the only drawback is the drug issue in the region, but that is with any US City really. It was not as bad there as we have seen in border cities, desert cities of big cities in other parts of the US. We talked with police and city officials about this and they admitted it was an issue, but felt they had a pretty good handle on it and were working hard to clean things up and that it is no longer a growing problem. They know who the bad apples are and they keep an eye on them. Anyway that reminded us of a conversation we had with the City of Cortez Economic Development Association director Bruce A Johnson, who admitted to us they had a drug problem and said even had people making crystal meth in hotel rooms that they rented and advised us that the drugs were made locally and affecting crime rates only a little. Incidentally they shut that tactic down quickly.

Drinking was also an issue with Indians and young white kids getting into mischief that caused several horrific accidents over the years on all the two-lane roads. Lots of car wrecks there, even witnessed a tourist making a slow left turn in front of a local teenager in a Nissan Sentra who broadsided them. Good place for a body shop or tow company. In those Utah cities where the kids are migrating to so they can afford to own homes there are kids hanging out on every corner and everyone knows everyone. The entire area is challenged by the Old West VS New West and Value clash. Value clash of low cost of living, which has self segregated residents, workers and retirees or rich and poor. This has really been an economical development challenge.

The citizens want small businesses not Wal Marts, clean industries and a proper value fit. The areas are growing middle class and upper middle tourism area down town and leaving it difficult for locals to go downtown to hang out and afford things. Some anchor stores have left in shopping centers in Cortez making it an issue for some trying to hold on small businesses. They are willing to give mass incentives to build office parks, but the infrastructure is a problem needing telecommunication systems in place first to compete for company recruitment of mid and large businesses.

Transportation systems need up grade and some businesses in the area are doing that for the high-end clientele but not the lower end workers. For instance taking people to Durango and Pagosa for jobs from Cortez and other areas, it is needed for the services required of the richer folks, jobs for others and fairness among issues of real estate values of distance natural segregation in the towns which are all intertwined for commerce and growth and of course success. Noah’s Ark in Durango has two new tour buses and extended limos and a 1.2 million dollar facility for tourists, but not workers to the city, perhaps the city or county can fund them on a contract to buy another buss or two for that purpose?

There is a large labor pool in Cortez many are Navajo and are extremely hard working, reliable and dependable, others are of the Ute Tribe and many are mixed with every nationality you can think of all great family people. Many of the workers do not have technical training but could learn. The entire four corners region is like that.

http://www.state.co.us/oed/bus_fin/source.cfm

explains the incentives for people who wish to bring businesses there to set up shop, although Durango is somewhat anti-business unless you are willing to join the club of the New West idea and sell high-end nick nacks, which not all store owners were making a lot of money, similar to Palm Desert CA, Carlsbad CA, downtown shops of OH, Jackson Hole WY, Whitefish MT or Sun Valley ID and places like that. Lots of competition in the area and many of the businesses are boutiques run by people willing to wither the off years such as the recent fire year, and drought periods where the National News downgraded the area and scared travelers who took those locations off their lists. Recovering now, but no small businesses are breaking records. We did see a number of vacant shops to park trucks in the 1000 –2000 square foot range as well as many in the 5000 to 20,000 range.

The growing Cortez City has about 8,200 projected by years end. Many more women than men about 2% difference. They have now also been growing wheat. They have been doing the mailings and

reminded us of a conversation we had with the City of Cortez Economic Development Association director Bruce A Johnson, who admitted to us they had a drug problem and said even had people making crystal meth in hotel rooms that they rented and advised us that the drugs were made locally and affecting crime rates only a little. Incidentally they shut that tactic down quickly.

Drinking was also an issue with Indians and young white kids getting into mischief that caused several horrific accidents over the years on all the two-lane roads. Lots of car wrecks there, even witnessed a tourist making a slow left turn in front of a local teenager in a Nissan Sentra who broadsided them. Good place for a body shop or tow company. In those Utah cities where the kids are migrating to so they can afford to own homes there are kids hanging out on every corner and everyone knows everyone. The entire area is challenged by the Old West VS New West and Value clash. Value clash of low cost of living, which has self segregated residents, workers and retirees or rich and poor. This has really been an economical development challenge.

The citizens want small businesses not Wal Marts, clean industries and a proper value fit. The areas are growing middle class and upper middle tourism area down town and leaving it difficult for locals to go downtown to hang out and afford things. Some anchor stores have left in shopping centers in Cortez making it an issue for some trying to hold on small businesses. They are willing to give mass incentives to build office parks, but the infrastructure is a problem needing telecommunication systems in place first to compete for company recruitment of mid and large businesses.

Transportation systems need up grade and some businesses in the area are doing that for the high-end clientele but not the lower end workers. For instance taking people to Durango and Pagosa for jobs from Cortez and other areas, it is needed for the services required of the richer folks, jobs for others and fairness among issues of real estate values of distance natural segregation in the towns which are all intertwined for commerce and growth and of course success. Noah’s Ark in Durango has two new tour buses and extended limos and a 1.2 million dollar facility for tourists, but not workers to the city, perhaps the city or county can fund them on a contract to buy another buss or two for that purpose?

There is a large labor pool in Cortez many are Navajo and are extremely hard working, reliable and dependable, others are of the Ute Tribe and many are mixed with every nationality you can think of all great family people. Many of the workers do not have technical training but could learn. The entire four corners region is like that.

http://www.state.co.us/oed/bus_fin/source.cfm

explains the incentives for people who wish to bring businesses there to set up shop, although Durango is somewhat anti-business unless you are willing to join the club of the New West idea and sell high-end nick nacks, which not all store owners were making a lot of money, similar to Palm Desert CA, Carlsbad CA, downtown shops of OH, Jackson Hole WY, Whitefish MT or Sun Valley ID and places like that. Lots of competition in the area and many of the businesses are boutiques run by people willing to wither the off years such as the recent fire year, and drought periods where the National News downgraded the area and scared travelers who took those locations off their lists. Recovering now, but no small businesses are breaking records. We did see a number of vacant shops to park trucks in the 1000 –2000 square foot range as well as many in the 5000 to 20,000 range.

The growing Cortez City has about 8,200 projected by years end. Many more women than men about 2% difference. They have now also been growing wheat. They have been doing the mailings and

of low cost of living, which has self segregated residents, workers and retirees or rich and poor. This has really been an economical development challenge.

The citizens want small businesses not Wal Marts, clean industries and a proper value fit. The areas are growing middle class and upper middle tourism area down town and leaving it difficult for locals to go downtown to hang out and afford things. Some anchor stores have left in shopping centers in Cortez making it an issue for some trying to hold on small businesses. They are willing to give mass incentives to build office parks, but the infrastructure is a problem needing telecommunication systems in place first to compete for company recruitment of mid and large businesses.

Transportation systems need up grade and some businesses in the area are doing that for the high-end clientele but not the lower end workers. For instance taking people to Durango and Pagosa for jobs from Cortez and other areas, it is needed for the services required of the richer folks, jobs for others and fairness among issues of real estate values of distance natural segregation in the towns which are all intertwined for commerce and growth and of course success. Noah’s Ark in Durango has two new tour buses and extended limos and a 1.2 million dollar facility for tourists, but not workers to the city, perhaps the city or county can fund them on a contract to buy another buss or two for that purpose?

There is a large labor pool in Cortez many are Navajo and are extremely hard working, reliable and dependable, others are of the Ute Tribe and many are mixed with every nationality you can think of all great family people. Many of the workers do not have technical training but could learn. The entire four corners region is like that.

http://www.state.co.us/oed/bus_fin/source.cfm

explains the incentives for people who wish to bring businesses there to set up shop, although Durango is somewhat anti-business unless you are willing to join the club of the New West idea and sell high-end nick nacks, which not all store owners were making a lot of money, similar to Palm Desert CA, Carlsbad CA, downtown shops of OH, Jackson Hole WY, Whitefish MT or Sun Valley ID and places like that. Lots of competition in the area and many of the businesses are boutiques run by people willing to wither the off years such as the recent fire year, and drought periods where the National News downgraded the area and scared travelers who took those locations off their lists. Recovering now, but no small businesses are breaking records. We did see a number of vacant shops to park trucks in the 1000 –2000 square foot range as well as many in the 5000 to 20,000 range.

The growing Cortez City has about 8,200 projected by years end. Many more women than men about 2% difference. They have now also been growing wheat. They have been doing the mailings and

eas, it is needed for the services required of the richer folks, jobs for others and fairness among issues of real estate values of distance natural segregation in the towns which are all intertwined for commerce and growth and of course success. Noah’s Ark in Durango has two new tour buses and extended limos and a 1.2 million dollar facility for tourists, but not workers to the city, perhaps the city or county can fund them on a contract to buy another buss or two for that purpose?

There is a large labor pool in Cortez many are Navajo and are extremely hard working, reliable and dependable, others are of the Ute Tribe and many are mixed with every nationality you can think of all great family people. Many of the workers do not have technical training but could learn. The entire four corners region is like that.

http://www.state.co.us/oed/bus_fin/source.cfm

explains the incentives for people who wish to bring businesses there to set up shop, although Durango is somewhat anti-business unless you are willing to join the club of the New West idea and sell high-end nick nacks, which not all store owners were making a lot of money, similar to Palm Desert CA, Carlsbad CA, downtown shops of OH, Jackson Hole WY, Whitefish MT or Sun Valley ID and places like that. Lots of competition in the area and many of the businesses are boutiques run by people willing to wither the off years such as the recent fire year, and drought periods where the National News downgraded the area and scared travelers who took those locations off their lists. Recovering now, but no small businesses are breaking records. We did see a number of vacant shops to park trucks in the 1000 –2000 square foot range as well as many in the 5000 to 20,000 range.

The growing Cortez City has about 8,200 projected by years end. Many more women than men about 2% difference. They have now also been growing wheat. They have been doing the mailings and

gh Durango is somewhat anti-business unless you are willing to join the club of the New West idea and sell high-end nick nacks, which not all store owners were making a lot of money, similar to Palm Desert CA, Carlsbad CA, downtown shops of OH, Jackson Hole WY, Whitefish MT or Sun Valley ID and places like that. Lots of competition in the area and many of the businesses are boutiques run by people willing to wither the off years such as the recent fire year, and drought periods where the National News downgraded the area and scared travelers who took those locations off their lists. Recovering now, but no small businesses are breaking records. We did see a number of vacant shops to park trucks in the 1000 –2000 square foot range as well as many in the 5000 to 20,000 range.

The growing Cortez City has about 8,200 projected by years end. Many more women than men about 2% difference. They have now also been growing wheat. They have been doing the mailings and educational activity to be good neighbors and save water for farmers and downstream cities that are more taxed with no reservoirs, more reservoirs are needed down stream. 2006 is the Centennial of Mesa Verde and it is already being planned, the parks bring in 600-7000 thousand tourists per year with 2.3 average people per car.

We heard of a Juice Company which located in Delores which could ship to the Los Angeles market fo $ .50 per case and the LA competition did it for $ .30 per case bu the cost to manufacture made up for the shipping of oranges and fruit from Florida and then to LA after completed processing. Low costs made the difference and they are successfully competing and hiring more people. Another company which manufactures Tuff Boxes for security and after market auto, and a favorite at the annual Las Vegas SEMA show moved their operations from Denver to Cortez, stating costs were extremely lower, better labor and the owner and his wife could mountain bike every night and maintain twice the quality of life with none of the I-25 corridor traffic mess, permanent construction and free freeway parking at rush hour issues. Lots of dead head truckers are willing to pick up loads from trucks traveling through the area. Freight brokers said that the prices are decent and cheaper then out of Denver, Salt Lake, Flagstaff or Albuquerque.

Labor in the region except for Durango and Pagosa could be hired at $7 per hour for car washing and detailing and managers at $10.00, anything more than that and you could get a first class worker and manager since cost of living where the workers live is less. Also a new Mormon Stake Center just got built out side of town with labor assistance for their people. For more information on the Economic Development Specialist Bruce Johnsons comments go to

http://www.mesaverdecountry.com

There is also a big noon time meeting ad hoc Business Club which meets and they are also countered by the Rotary Club night time meeting group which is the older crowd, we see issues of passing the torch to the next generation there and some small town politics which are getting worked out. Also working through other issues of the area are Hal Shepard of the Police Department on the drug issues. They have a good handle on it and are winning the local war on drugs. There are some wineries also on the NM side, which are getting popular.

http://www.winesofthesanjuan.com

Farmington has the biggest area population of the four corners region and lots of transportation companies. Right now using lots of greenhouses and drip irrigation tape to farm. Sweet corn grows well there and Canyon de Cheilly cliff dwellings and also known as one of the most beautiful canyons of the world. It is true. You should check it out and spend some money there, see America, travel and go inside a Keva this summer, nice and cool whereever you are. This concludes our preliminary report on the areas surrounding region 9 of Colorado and our ability to find the niches necessary for those looking to expand businesses or find great places to live as well as to the people who desire services and jobs to those who are willing to work and show up on time, drug free.

One thing that must be mentioned, the people there in the region are extremely polite and nice. Honest and pleasant and would stop to help you if you needed it. Not too many places like that anymore. This is definitely one of them. Thank you South Western Colorado for your hospitality, can’t wait to get back and visit.