Business Spotlight: Getting involved

City hopes round table will invoke conversations, networking

Kati O'Hare

Daily Press Writer

MONTROSE — Time is changing and the city of Ouray wants to find the best way to change with it.

The city's Community Development Committee has created "Ouray Business Round Table" that will begin next week and feature speakers, programs and discussion on material relevant to the city's residents.

"One thing we hope to provide is information, not just to business owners, but the whole community," committee member Joyce Linn said.

The round table's first meeting will be at 8 a.m., April 18 in the San Juan Room of the Ouray Community Center. It will continue on the third Thursday of every month and is open to the public.

For the first discussion, the focus will be on the economy and demographics of Ouray, said City Resource Manager Rick Noll.

Paul Gray, executive director of Region 10 League for Economic Assistance and Planning, will present current and projected trends affecting Ouray's economy, including population, employment and business.

"Problems affecting Ouray are similar to problems affecting many mountain communities," Gray said. He said he will present information he's taken from city statistics and data and put it into graphic format.

After the presentation, which ends around 9:15 a.m., there will be a question and answer session, and a discussion time until 9:45 a.m.

"Sharing of information is the big need," Noll said. He said there is already strong representation and interest including pre-registration for the event from Main Street retail and service businesses, along with lodging and tourism related businesses, city leaders, nonprofit organizers and school staff.

"This data really affects everybody," Linn said. "We are hoping for a cross section of all. That's what makes a good discussion."

She said the committee's mission is to plan for economic stability and will start the process of writing an economic development strategy for the city in September. It is conducting a survey to gather ideas and has received more than 450 forms from residents.

The committee will hold a town meeting June 7 at the community center to discuss the results and get input from residents. It will then report to the city council at July's meeting and begin the writing process. Linn said she hopes the roundtable discussions will add to the process in revealing the needs and concerns of the area.

The material at this first round table will give people background information in order to provide good discussions at later meetings.

"The idea (of the round table) is to bring information and expertise to our business community," Noll said. He said the roundtable discussions will provide local and out-of-the-area expertise and also provides networking opportunities.

Linn said the roundtable will provide a gathering place for Ouray businesses and residents to discuss options for the future and can be a useful tool for newcomers.

The roundtable organizers, which include Noll, the committee and local volunteers, have set up other discussions for upcoming months.

A sales tax seminar will take place in May, which Noll said will be the "nuts and bolts" of how to apply to county and state sales tax regulation.

There is also a merchandising and marketing presentation and a customer service presentation.

Later in the year, he said there will be a roundtable discussion on using the Internet for business, including creating a Web site.

For more information on the Ouray Business Round Tables contact Rick Noll at 325-7065.

Contact Kati O'Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com