Look out for Weld County

Weld County will prosper as business mecca

A recent report by Ann Garrison, University of Northern Colorado economist, reveals an economy that stands to grow modestly during 1996, with overall economic performance not quite matching last year.

But look behind the decimal points and percentage marks, and you find an economy that’s well-equipped to continue luring new companies and facilitating expansion of existing businesses.

Garrison surveyed 147 local companies to gauge their impressions of the county, its business climate and its economic-development programs. What she found was a business community that’s pleased overall with Weld County’s business climate and with the level of government support for business.

In fact, these companies pumped $193 million into the Weld County economy in investment in buildings and machines last year. This indicates confidence in the region as a viable place to do business.

And it could get only better. During the next year and a half, Garrison reports, 112 firms plan to build new facilities or expand existing ones. Almost 83 percent of respondents said they would still decide to locate their business in the Greeley/Weld environs.

Weld County garners little attention from the region’s media, especially those in Denver that seem to report on Greeley only during the Denver Broncos’ summer camp or the Greeley Independence Stampede.

But with its vast expanses of available land and pro-business attitude, Weld stands to be not only one of the nation’s leading agricultural counties but also one of its great high-tech and entrepreneurial hubs.