business
The Mile High Biz Blog
Welcome to our new blog, where we'll share the latest news and resources from the local business community and other stuff related to local business and building a stronger local economy.
Please feel free to post comments (you'll have to register or login first) or send us links to more news we can share.
Discount for Reserving Green Festival Booth Early
Article: Stay Fiscally Fit During Economic Stress
First of all, don't panic. There are options for businesses seeking help and credit during this time, but it is more challenged. I really appreciate the point made by author Jay Davidson, (taken from the article, emphasis added):
Strengthen banking relationships
Small Businesses Can't Handle Increased Costs
The bakery's owner Lori Wagner says, "They raised the water 40 percent. We use water just to run the steam in our ovens, let alone all the wash we had to do. And the taxes are unbelievable and they're going to go up again." Combined with their competition from national chain stores and the increase in fuel and flour, the bakery was forced to close.
Rate Local Businesses at ColoradoLocalFirst.com
Did you know you can rate local businesses on ColoradoLocalFirst.com? Leaving reviews and recommendations helps other Coloradoans discover local businesses who provide the goods and services we need for our homes and companies.
It's easy to post reviews:
1. Go to www.ColoradoLocalFirst.com and register or login
Why Starbucks Can't Compete Against Local Biz
This article in the London Free Press presents an interesting examination of the closing of 600 Starbucks coffee shops. She comes very close to pinpointing the strength of local biz versus the canned chain experience:
Emerald Award Acknowledges Contributions of Local Business
The Eugene, OR area Chamber of Commerce is issuing their fifth annual Emerald Awards to acknowledge the contribution by local businesses to the area's vitality and quality of life.
I know, it's Oregon - but I think we can learn something from how they encourage and honor the work of local businesses to build better communities.
Awards are given in the areas of community caring, environmental values, growth and innovation.
The article begins with this quote from Henry Ford, "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor kind of business." Nicely said, sir.
"Supporting One Another is Key to a Steady Economy"
So says today's article in The Spectrum, reporting on the Local First campaign in Utah. They briefly make the connection between a strong local economy and sustainability.
This is an important connection. In the growing list of things you can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle, we think supporting local business first is key. When a community can source the food, transportation, energy, housing and other basic needs closer to home, they use less fossil fuels to transport these goods and services as well as growing local employment and tax revenue.
Transitioning to a Natural Economy
Here's a chart comparing the relationships in each:

Grand County Institutes Local Preference Policy
Grand County has formally adopted a local preference policy for contracts, giving them the option to use local contractors and vendors first, even with a 5% difference in the bid. And apparently there's a lot of debate about whether this costs the taxpayers more money, or is better for the community overall. (read the Sky-Hi Daily News article)

