Local Foods Local Places: Alamosa, CO - Downtown Business Survey

The community of Alamosa has received a Local Foods Local Places planning grant with the potential for implementation funds after the plan is in place. More than sixty communities across the nation have gone through this process, and have grown their local food economy and downtowns with positive results.

Some of the topics we’ll be making a plan around include local and healthy food, economic opportunities, becoming a vibrant and prosperous downtown, integrating food, arts and music, strengthening our farmers market, expanding food access, health, and wellness, walkability, and more.

There will be a workshop in Alamosa on September 18 and 19 to create an action plan for moving forward. In preparation for the workshop, the planning team would like to get input, ideas and participation from business owners, community stakeholders, and others interested in this effort.

Thank-you for taking your time to answer these 8 questions:

Question Title

* 1. What do you love about the downtown/Alamosa community? Choose all that apply

Friendly people

Rural landscape

Agricultural heritage

Status as the economic center of the SLV

Southwestern culture

Low cost of living

Business opportunities

Community collaborations

Architecture

Railroad history

Rio Grande

Other (please specify)

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* 2. What opportunities to you see for downtown Alamosa? Choose all that apply

A taste of the region – featuring SLV Farmers and Ranchers products on downtown menus

A Local Food Marketing Campaign

Local Arts featured in our downtown businesses and outdoors

Local Music highlighted in our downtown businesses and outdoors

Making a name for Alamosa as a place known for quality, local foods

Expand events such as farmers markets, brew fests, and other events downtown

History and Culture featured on your plate

Partnership between farmers and business owners

Supporting local agricultural businesses and telling their story

Increased revenue through experiential tourism

Expand first Friday’s (add more Fridays)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. What Barriers/Concerns exist to expanding the local food economy in Alamosa? Choose all that apply

Potential cost to business owners

Not enough time for expanding the local foods economy

Don’t want to see an increase in tourist traffic in Alamosa

The SLV doesn’t grow the kind of food I need and want for my business

Don’t perceive the SLV as embracing a local food, music and arts based initiative.

Conflicts with my business mission and vision

Don’t know how food, art and music could make a difference

Processed foods come prepared – local ingredients require more staff time and expertise

We are a franchise business and do not have control over our menu

No personal time to be involved

Other (please specify)

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* 4. What benefits do you see for such an effort? Choose all that apply

Increased customers

New customers

Creating a more local economy

New relationships with local suppliers and farmers

Invigorated downtown

Increased pride in the community

Increased sense of culture and place

Increased notice in State and National media

Attraction of new business to Alamosa

Attraction of more professionals to the area

Becoming more of a destination community

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 5. What disadvantages do you see for such an effort?

Loss of uniqueness of each business

Increased cost of food

Too much effort

Seasonal flavors only

Don’t trust planning team to listen to my concerns

Other (please specify)

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* 6. What ideas do you have for downtown revitalization and economic development?

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* 7. Would you participate in a September 18 and 19 1.5 day workshop?

Yes

Partial - Day one evening

Partial - Day two morning

Partial - Day two afternoon

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* 8. For the little bit that you know are you inclined to be involved?

Not at all.

Maybe a little from time to time.

Yes, I want to be involved.

Absolutely, I’m all in!

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* 1. What do you love about the downtown/Alamosa community? Choose all that apply

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* 2. What opportunities to you see for downtown Alamosa? Choose all that apply

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* 3. What Barriers/Concerns exist to expanding the local food economy in Alamosa? Choose all that apply

Question Title

* 4. What benefits do you see for such an effort? Choose all that apply

Question Title

* 5. What disadvantages do you see for such an effort?

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* 6. What ideas do you have for downtown revitalization and economic development?

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* 7. Would you participate in a September 18 and 19 1.5 day workshop?

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* 8. For the little bit that you know are you inclined to be involved?

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* 9. What is your primary area of interest for the workshop?