Biz Mix: Building a vibrant business community – together

Lisa Trank Biz Mix

The city elections are over and the residents of Longmont have spoken. Change is in the air and not only because Halloween pumpkins are being composted and replaced with painted corn, gourds and Thanksgiving turkeys.

The word on the street is that the sweeping changes enacted by voters signal a strong desire by the Longmont community to accelerate some serious shifts in the retail business environment, from the health and vibrancy of Main Street to the Twin Peaks re-development.

One recent change that has already taken place is within the City of Longmont’s newly developed Economic Development Department, now being overseen by Brad Power, former redevelopment director of the City of Boulder. According to Power, the city’s and his department’s shared goal is to create and support a “local business community that is as vibrant as possible,” with business, real-estate developers and the community working together. With both short- and long-term planning now housed in the same department, the city is taking the necessary steps to attend to the present challenges at hand, as well as plan for the future.

Another positive sign of a more cohesive approach to bolstering the local economy is with collaborative partnerships. The city, Power’s department, along with the Longmont Area Economic Council, the Longmont Area Visitors Association, the Downtown Development Association, and the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce are launching a comprehensive “Shop Longmont” campaign that will begin this holiday season and flow into 2010.

The program is designed to bring together many of the various local shopping incentive programs to raise awareness of the importance of retaining shopping dollars in Longmont. As well, local and state stimulus funds through small-business loans and grants will become available before the end of 2009 and go into full swing after the first of the year. Lastly, Powers says that the Longmont Economic Gardening Initiative continues to thrive and grow, providing much needed access to data, marketing initiative ideas – and just completed a very successful seminar for about 30 folks on optimizing Web sites for their businesses, with more to come soon.

On a final note for the week, the Longmont Small Business Association is in the process of reorganizing and is not accepting new memberships. Biz Mix will keep you posted as to the changes afoot, so stay tuned.

Biz Mix links:

http://ci.longmont.co.us/com_dev/index.htm

http://ci.longmont.co.us/legi/index.htm

http://ci.longmont.co.us/econdev/incentives/index.htm

Biz Mix News Flash:

Divine Divas (owned by Carlene XXXX) has opened their chic and fun storefront, offering one-of-a-kind jewelry (some even labeled ‘Lead-free’), creatively designed purses, scarves, hats and lots of other items ideal for the holidays and all at ridiculously affordable prices! Divine Divas: 454 Main Street, Longmont

Brooklyn Deli/Bleu Sun Catering has relocated to a terrific new location – the authentic deli food is just as good as before and the décor fun and inviting! Brooklyn Deli: 1515 Main Street, Longmont 303-684-8400, www.thebrooklyndeli.com

Contact Biz Mix at ltrank@onepurposepr.com to submit story ideas and business news, which are always welcome!

Lisa Trank is owner of One Purpose PR & Communications, a sustainable public relations, social media and communications firm founded in 2007. Lisa has called Longmont home for close to ten years and is thrilled to be running her business and raising her family here.