Transportation access, trained employees
I don't know why we are trying to bring other businesses here when our current businesses are struggling. Why would we bring in more competition that take more money out of town? Why do we move all "economic development" events to the park out of town instead of using the park by the church and including our Main Street businesses?
The hiring pool of competent and reliable employees is thin for most retail jobs. Even with the correct Entrepreneur's trying to establish various businesses, the lack of people wanting gainful and stable employment is a giant hurdle for any start-up/transplant/chain business in this area.
Sufficient/affordable housing
Once again, what if we focused on businesses already in the Blanding expansion. When we help ourselves we help everyone. Bringing outside businesses in just send the $$ outside of the area. The new businesses (like Maverik) pay people to work. (which gives us mostly low paying jobs.) and sends the rest of the money outside of Blanding.
The lack of jobs or people willing to work them
Being a dry city. Can not get a beer with things.
Distance from metropolitan areas
Low population, remote location
I’m ok not having alcohol sold at stores or gas stations. But I think it would help restaurants to be able to come and be able to make it if they were able to serve alcohol with a meal
Customers,
Remote area-not on the main drag, shipping to and from Blanding, higher cost of living, lack of housing, poor economic development support, funding. I do believe that any roadblock is an opportunity to rise up to overcome the challenges.
Lack of railroad access. Limited freight options due to remote location. Low wages. City employees / policies that are inclined to say "no" vs. finding a way to "yes".
Attitudes in the area that are opposed to change from what is already here are probably the biggest roadblock.
We do not need NEW businesses coming to Blanding. How short sighted and stupid.
We need to be taking care of and supporting the businesses that we do have. Our government needs to be leading the charge by shopping locally (not ordering from out of town - looking at you city rec department).
Small businesses that are ready to get bigger need help moving into biggest spaces. Small, LOCAL businesses need tax breaks to help improve storefronts and grow their businesses.
The city needs to stop sitting on their land on Main Street and turn it into something useful. AND why does our economic person insist on hosting events at the new park when we should be driving people to the local businesses that are in town?
Main Street should be a place for us to gather, to involve the businesses in events and economic growth. Instead the city chooses to drive everyone two miles out of the town where half the vendors aren't even local.
Independence Day use to be an event that took place all over town. Now it is all squished in to one park so local businesses close their doors instead of participating in the fun and the benefits.
This Fall Festival is headed the same direction! It is a travesty!
Year round sustainable
The pay! And availability of space for stores and restaurants.
There needs to be a greater advantage for those living within city limits to establish a business. Too many businesses (specifically housing and tourist) are owned by those outside of city limits that then have input on how residential should runt things.
I said in vision survey but pertains here as well. I’m not a drinker but I used to be a server for years in town and I can’t even count how many tables got up and left when I told them we couldn’t serve alcohol. They asked how far away Monticello and moab are and they would immediately take their business elsewhere. This is problematic and costs businesses and blanding so much in lost profit. Not everyone in the world doesn’t drink. And if we want to welcome everyone we need to allow them to unwind after a day of enjoying our area with a beer or glass of wine. The ones that already booked rooms here would begrudgingly stay for the meal but be visibly annoyed the entire service, and I could usually count on my tip being next to nothing from their disappointment.
People who don't want Blanding to grow
There may not be adequate housing. There is significant risk that businesses will fail as people seek outside business to fill their needs
Needed skills and work ethic.
Dry city
not being able to sell alcoholic drinks,
The inconvenient long distances to ship their product, and receive materials