The town of Mancos will be surveying local businesses next week as part of a larger plan to spur economic growth in the community.
Mancos was recently awarded a state grant for the overarching economic growth project, and they have hired the Durango-based firm RPI Consulting to conduct the upcoming survey.
“The results of the business survey will be used to identify opportunities, challenges and priorities, and develop well-grounded strategies for growth and diversification,” Town Administrator Heather Alvarez said.
The larger Mancos business development and economic growth strategy will also include an asset inventory, business inventory, market assessment and strategic plan, according to Alvarez.
The overall project will cost a total of $31,000, with $22,500 coming from the Department of Local Affairs Rural Economic Development Incentive program, which provided the state grant, Alvarez said. Mancos will be paying for the $8,500 difference.
The entire project is expected to finish up by June 30 of this year.
The consultants will be collecting surveys in person from March 6 through March 8. Prior to this, RPI staff will be calling business owners and managers to schedule a time to take the survey.
For more information, to receive an emailed survey copy, or to set an appointment, business owners can contact Iris Nott, the fieldwork coordinator at RPI Consulting, at iris@rpiconsulting.org or 379-6553.
ealvero@the-journal.com