Grant Funds Downtown Lamar Economic Study

Lamar, by virtue of being a Colorado Main Street Community, recently received a grant from the Department of Local Affairs to fund a market niche assessment for the city and downtown businesses.  Shawna Hodge, Lamar’s Main Street Coordinator, offered invitations to members of the community to attend the sessions, conducted during sessions held over two days this past week at the Lamar Chamber of Commerce offices. 

The meetings were a fact-finding mission conducted by Arleen Taniwaki of ArLand Land Use Economics out of Denver, to help develop recommendations for businesses and property owners in Lamar.  The interviews help assess the market area in the city, a study of demographics, possible trends for retail and commercial development, retail demand in the city, sales and customer leakage to other areas of the state and a regional customer survey profiling just what does the community need and want in the way of retail and business service and goods.  A final report will be developed highlighting recommendations, a potential market niche for businesses in the city and business types that would be financially feasible for near and long term operations. 

ArLand Land Use Economics has developed transportation plans for the High Plains Highway Corridor Plan for a Regional Economic Analysis for Yuma, Kit Carson and Cheyenne Counties as well as the U.S. 50 Corridor Study for Economic Impact Analysis for Pueblo, Otero, Bent and Prowers County.  No specific date was set for when the study would be available for local parties.

By Russ Baldwin