Tag Archives: Business

Escalante’s High Unemployment

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Jana| Leave a comment

According to an article in the February 2nd edition of “The Insider”, Garfield County has the 3rd highest unemployment rate in Utah, just behind our neighbors in Wayne and San Juan counties – 10.4%.  It goes on to explain –

“Garfield County exhibits one of the highest unemployment rates in the state due to the seasonal nature of the tourist economy.  Almost 40 percent of Garfield County’s nonfarm employment can be categorized in the leisure/hospitality industry – in vivid contrast to the statewide figure of only 9%.”

In contrast to other Utah counties, the tourist season is barely 6 months of the year.  The public perception of Escalante is we’re desert and it’s too hot to visit in July and August.  The article states “Governor Herbert has outlined an action plan for 2012”, unfortunately tourism marketing for highways 12 and 24 wasn’t one of them.

Three first steps could be taken by Escalante City Council to start the process of expanding the tourism base to eight months. 

  • ·        First, they could create a marketing piece that invites people to “Explore Escalante” year round and spell out what is available to do and when. 
  • ·        Second, the state Office of Tourism could promote the 65 fishable lakes of the Dixie National Forest in Escalante’s backyard (we are the second largest city in Garfield County and should get some special attention).
  • ·        Third, The City Economic Development Committee could work with all the major news stations to get Escalante on the weather map and get a weather cam installed at the airport.  Cheap year-round access to Escalante that reminds people of the Salt Lake Region we’re here and open for business.

These are baby steps compared to what could be done – but it would be a start.  If tourism could be consistent for the entire 8 months instead of on for three months, off for two and on again for two +, retailers could build inventories, for the fall season and build resources to survive the winter months.  That would help rehires occur earlier because there would be funds available from the previous season and more retailers would encourage more tourism which could bring a new use to the old sawmill property – but that’s for another time.

 

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Verizon Wireless – Closing saga?

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Jana| Leave a comment

I received a call from the Executive Offices of Verizon Wireless located in California.  They were responding to my FCC complaint as required by law.  Everyone who filed one should get a response.

Their representative was polite, apologetic and willing to answer my questions.

Q – Did Verizon buy these accounts from South Central?

A – No.  Unlike a few years ago when Verizon acquired Alltel, Verizon did not acquire anything from South Central and paid them no money.

Q – Why did Verizon offer to provide services to Escalante, Boulder and Koosharem when their service maps on their own website clearly shows they don’t offer services in those cities?

A – I’m not sure.  I believe it was our belief that the agents in your area would point out that and recommend you find service with someone else – thus you would have been prevented from signing up at the local offices.

Q – Does Veriozn Wireless intend to purchase the existing tower or put up a new tower to service Escalante and Boulder?

A – No.There are no plans at this time to install a tower in the immediate future.  Things could change but who knows when that might occur.  The current tower is 60 miles away on Navajo Mountain  In order to have our area receive better service we would have to redirect the signal from that tower and would cause harm to more users in the Page – Big Water Area.

Q – Can people still call and cancel their service without disconnect fees?

A – yes. but I wouldn’t wait very much longer before doing so.Just call the number on the top of your bill (or if you have service -611).

There you have it.  Unfortunately, instead of South Central just telling us they were getting out of the cell phone business and we should explore our own options, they recommended we go to Verizon.  Sadly, that has cost many of the local businesses time and money and lost business.  And don’t look for it to improve anytime soon.

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Escalante Business Licenses

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Jana| Leave a comment

With Business Licenses on this week’s Escalante City Council
Agenda, let’s start there.

Business Licensing serves several purposes:

First, it provides public notice that a new business will
start up within the City limits.  When this
occurs within the zoned commercial district it’s simply a way to oversee the
type of business that goes in requiring a license allows the City Council to
make sure it is appropriate, i.e. an adult book store next to a preschool.

Second, if the proposed business is attempting to operate
outside a commercial zone, the Council can decide whether the placement is
appropriate or not.  Third, it’s a means
of accessing taxation for the hotel/motel/RV segment.  Although these revenues are not large, many cities earmark those funds for promotional projects, i.e. Business directory flyers for the traveling public and Welcome Wagon programs.

How the process is set-up is key to helping staff help the
business community.  That is generally
done through existing zoning ordinances.
The Ordinances are there to identify allowed uses.  When a potential business owner requests a license they could be handed an application packet.  Within that could be the current application form, a sheet identifying the process, and a list of allowed uses by zone.  If the use is listed, City Staff can take the
application and fee and issue the license.

If the use is not listed, but considered a conditional use,
that application would need to be placed on the Council agenda for
consideration.  This takes the burden off the staff to make decisions.  They will
issue a license when the Council decides whether it meets the standards or
not.    To accomplish this, the planning and zoning ordinances would need to be altered to reflect the change.  There really is no reason to have planning
and zoning involved.  It is just an additional step that causes the owner time when it could go directly to the council.  City staff should never be put
in the position of advising citizens, recommending or deciding whether a
license or permit is required.  They should ALWAYS be referred to the council if the answer is not spelled out in the ordinances.

For instance, approved uses in the Residential/Commercial
District that encompasses Main Street are:

  • Art Gallery/Antique Shop
  • Bank
  • Food Services – a bakery, delicatessen or restaurant
  • Florist/Gift Shop
  • General retail – barber shop, drug store,
    department store, hardware store, furniture store and grocery store
  • Professional Offices
  • Public buildings
  • Recreation – bowling alley, music store,
    sporting goods store or theater
  • Other uses similar to these permitted uses

These are all uses that you would normally find in the Main
Street district of any city.  Why should they have to be delayed in their process by having to get City Council approval for what is already approved through planning and zoning ordinances?  The staff could simply provide a list of
those permits issued on a monthly basis and post for all to see.

The latest debate over Business Licenses involved a Bed and
Breakfast.  The Council had already given their approval for a building permit for the Conditional Use in a Residential District.  The issuance of a Business
License should have been automatic.  We should be trying to make the process easier, not more complex, longer, or more expensive.

Control is not the only reason for having a permitting process.
But that’s material for another article.

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Escalante Business Council

Posted on April 13, 2011 by admin| 1 Comment

Could Escalante benefit from a Business Council and how is that difference from what we currently have? 

Usually, a Business Council is made up of equal number of people representing the business community of an area, focused on recruiting new businesses to an area.  The members talk about what other businesses or services the community needs and seeks ways to bring them in. 

That kind of group usually consists of business owners, a couple of City Council members, a banker and a community services person.  They review the goods and services currently available and what else is needed. 

For Escalante, we need to consider length of travel and declining population.  If we’re going to be a resort, what do we need to make it successful?  What goods are here that need upgrading?  What services are lacking? 

Then you look to possible City Taxation programs and see if they help or hinder.  We have an Enterprise zone for Main Street.  Anyone know what it is, how it works and how you benefit?  Maybe there should be a flyer at City Hall to pass out to prospective buyers of Main Street properties. 

Is there anyway to utilize our Municipal Bonding Authority to get our sidewalks repaired and water hungry plants replaced with natives?  What our greatest asset? 

Our historic homes and backhouses are one of our greatest assets.  How can we help someone buy the Isaac Riddle House and create an authentic turn of the century Bed and Breakfast?  And so many more things to consider. 

Do we need a barber shop, a larger Laundromat, an ice cream shop, an auto/atv parts and repair shop, an internet café, country store for local crafts and craft supplies, and the list goes on. 

How can the Chamber of Commerce help?  By creating, printing and distributing a complete business/services guide to match their website.  To work on getting support for Escalante flag banners for Main Street power poles using the colors of the Indian Rug that served as our fist flag.  Advertise and promote the July 4th celebration and Clayte’s Run.  Encourage every business in town to have a black metal cut-out with their sign similar to expand the Welcome Sign theme.  Create a closer association with the Heritage Center by having a member on the Business Council.  

The history of Escalante is one of its greatest assets.  The backhouses make it different from every other historic district in Utah.  The updated and corrected Historic Homes Guide should be available for Heritage Festival weekend.  Perhaps Clayte’s Run should be moved to Memorial weekend. 

As another new business gets ready to open, we must be sure our younger business owners are on the committee.  They’re the future of Escalante.

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Escalante Business 2011

Posted on April 7, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

 A great article by Randy Slaven in the current edition of “Art Business News” defined sales in the gallery business “as good news and bad news – this is the recovery”.  He related it to the recovery of an addict, “it has no end.  The patient ends up healthier but has to continuously guard against relapse”.

 We were all riding on easy money high, not just art galleries.  “No Vacancy” signs were becoming the norm and waiting at restaurants normal.  Artists were everywhere and so was the money to buy their work.  And in Mr. Slaven’s words, “the art business boomed because of (wealth and liquidity) and that boom led to a widespread tolerance for mediocrity”.

 His prediction is now the need for excellence in order to survive and thrive.  Excellence from owners in every business, and “artists now need to be exceptional creators”.  Owners of all stores will need to find their niche and perfect it.  Over the next 2-5 years you’ll see slow but steady sales increases.  But the boom is gone.

 And that is true for every other sector of the economy.  So what will that do for Escalante?  Slowly but surely the “No Vacancy” days will return ,but excellence will matter. 

 Restaurants that provide wonderful service will survive as customer satisfaction comes first, not just trading a plate of food for folding green.  The same is true for lodging.  There are lots of choices in town and the region, but decisions won’t all be based on price.  Creature comforts are important but cleanliness and courtesy will determine where people choose to stay.

 We’ll know in December how we did in 2011.  And for those that continuously guard against mediocrity, you’ll get to increase your quarterly tax payments.

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