Green River to host economic summit

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Green River has plans for a local business summit on March 11 from 1-7 p.m. at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. The summit is being sponsored by the Green River Chamber of Commerce, Green River City, Emery County Economic Development and USDA Rural Development. The theme for this year’s summit is “Bring the Green to Green River.” All business owners, managers and supervisors in Emery County and surrounding areas are encouraged to attend.
Presenters will come from the state chamber of commerce, Price and Moab chamber of commerce members and the city manager of Panguitch will present along with others. There will be informative booths to assist local business owners in improving their businesses. The USDA will hold an open forum on business development in rural Utah.
Green River business is feeling the pinch of current economic hard times according to event organizers. “We can no longer depend on consumers dropping off the highway. We need to find ways to become a destination site, to draw the attention of promoters. A new Disney film is being filmed in the area the end of April and into May. They have booked entire motels for the production of their newest film. We need to promote our area for more projects of this kind. It is important to your business to be aware of upcoming events that could bring a few extra dollars into your business. We need the input and the help of local businesses in order to grow. That’s why it is so important you take a few hours to come to this event. The summit will be presented at no cost to the attendees. For more information about the summit, call the Green River City office at 435-564-3448.”
Event organizers want everyone to register ahead of time for the event so they know how many to accommodate.
Organizers said, “We want to thank everyone for their hard work and the efforts they put into having a business in Green River. It takes a lot of hard work to manage a profitable business in a small town. Thanks for contributing to our town and providing jobs here. We hope to be instrumental in assisting you to improve your business in this tough economic climate.”
The United State Department of Agriculture is leading an effort to hear from Rural America on its ideas on what it takes to create jobs and economic development in rural communities across the country.
President Obama recently invited 130 corporate executives, economists, small business owners and union leaders to the White House to pursue ideas for accelerating job growth during the worst labor market in a generation. Now the President wants to take the same brainstorming opportunities to the people in rural America. The input from Green River’s forum and discussion will be sent to Washington DC to ensure local ideas are part of any solution addressing the challenges of creating jobs and economic growth.
The state director Dave Conine and directors for USDA rural development’s housing, business and community programs will present at the summit. The primary focus for the meeting and discussion will be on challenges and ideas to accelerate job growth in the Green River and Emery County area. Organizers say, “Please bring your thoughts and solutions to the summit. Your input and participation will be greatly appreciated.”
Some of the questions to consider and think over before the summit include: what parts of your local economy are working and/or not working; what businesses and sectors are expanding and hiring; what sectors have been hit the hardest; what businesses and sectors seem poised to rebound; what are the obstacles to job creation in your community; how can we overcome the dilemma government faces with visionary projects such as building highways, creation of renewable energy systems, and infrastructure projects, compared to shovel ready projects such as fixing streets and improving home energy efficiency; how can existing small businesses be provided with critical support; what is the best way to expand public and private financing for green jobs; how can rural areas create inter-organizational and collaborative worker training networks to provide a skilled workforce; how can rural America be involved in expanding exports; exploring ways to rejuvenate and promote local businesses; creating jobs by rebuilding American’s infrastructure; creating new opportunities from existing ones, such as with value added agricultural products; supporting job growth among small businesses; preparing workers for 21st century jobs.