What would a business park do for La Plata County, and can it be built?
Those are the questions that will be answered when the La Plata County Economic Development Alliance’s hired consultants present findings of a feasibility study in two upcoming meetings.
“What we’re seeing is a difficulty for businesses to grow here, and sometimes people leave the community or don’t come here, and that affects our ability to give good-paying jobs,” Executive Director Roger Zalneraitis said. “We want to find consolidated space where it’s easy for businesses to grow, and helps us save on infrastructure costs. Putting businesses in one central location, that’s the advantage of a business park.”
A business park is one of the Economic Development Alliance’s three strategic initiatives, as well as providing quality air service and high-speed Internet to La Plata County.
The Economic Development Alliance commissioned Gruen Gruen and Associates, a firm with offices in Denver, Chicago and San Francisco, to conduct the $55,000 study, which began last December, and the cost was offset by a grant from the Durango Industrial Development Foundation.
On Tuesday, the consultants will give two presentations detailing their findings on the need for new offices and industrial space with recommendations for moving forward.
Zalneraitis pointed to Bodo Industrial Park to illustrate the benefits of consolidated office space.
“We did an economic impact study of Bodo last year, and within it, there are 2,400 jobs, and the average wage is 20 percent higher than the average wage in La Plata County,” he said. “They’re paid about $50,000 a year. Bodo Park is responsible for 10 percent of the economic activity in our county. That means because of Bodo, we have opportunities for people to live here and enjoy the lifestyle here.”
jpace@durangoherald.com
If you go
There will be a presentation on the business park feasibility study from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday in the Vallecito Room at Fort Lewis College. Lunch will be provided, and space is limited, so RSVP to Roger Zalneraitis at Roger@yeslpc.com.
A second meeting with county commissioners and Durango City Council will be held that day from 3 to 4 p.m. in Smith Chambers at Durango City Hall.
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