This morning I attended the City of Fort Collins’ Inaugural Business Appreciation Breakfast at the Marriott. There were about 200 people in the room. Businesses that had been operating for 75 years or more in Fort Collins were recognized. The underlying theme of the event was city government saying ‘thank you’ to business.
How refreshing! It was wonderful to see city government officially acknowledging the contribution businesses make to the success of the community. Mayor Karen Weitkunat read a City proclamation declaring today “Business Appreciation Day,” and City Manager Darin Atteberry said “We want you to stay here and expand here.”
In most places this would be…what? Routine? In recent decades in City Hall, however, the importance of business to a vibrant and livable community has been downplayed. This is largely due to the worldview of some of the past council members.
Anyway, it was a great occasion and signaled a healthier relationship between city government and its business community.
The event also gave the City a chance to report on all the great work it has been doing relative to economic development. You can find their 2-page overview report here.
Well done City of Fort Collins!