‘Economic future looks promising’

By PRISCILLA WAGGONER, Courier Reporter
Posted 1/8/25

ALAMOSA — Around the nation, economic forecasts for 2025 vary from being optimistic to concerning. Fortunately, those with their fingers on the pulse of economic activity in Alamosa fall solidly among those who are optimistic.  

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‘Economic future looks promising’

Posted

ALAMOSA — Around the nation, economic forecasts for 2025 vary from being optimistic to concerning. Fortunately, those with their fingers on the pulse of economic activity in Alamosa fall solidly among those who are optimistic.  

First indications suggest the Christmas retail season for businesses was slightly slower than usual. According to Kathy Woods, director of economic development for the City of Alamosa, the cause of that is likely related to Thanksgiving coming later in the year.  

But, even taking that into consideration, Woods told the Valley Courier, “The economic future of Alamosa continues to look very promising with new development underway.” 

As part of Economic Development’s Summary Year End Board Report, Woods listed significant contacts and new businesses in recent years, including establishment of new businesses, such as Harbor Freight, Melanzana, Maverick, 7 Brews, Jimmy Johns, Mammoth Gifts and Linda Jalisco, to name just a few. 

As is always the case, a handful of projects involving significant effort on the part of the city, such as Diadora – selling top end running shoes – did not pan out as hoped due to circumstances beyond the city's control. Also, Friday Health Plan went bankrupt, another development over which the city had no control.  

But, historically, data supports the assertion that the "big picture" is always a better indication of overall trends than what is shown in a month or two, and that big picture looks hopeful in a city that was described by the city's consultant as "the last affordable town in the mountains." 

Some of those good indicators come from the businesses themselves. 

For example, Woods tells the story of Harbor Freight. After they had been in business for a while, Woods stopped in to check on how things were going. She was told that the store is “getting traffic not just from across the Valley but also from Bayfield and northern New Mexico.” She was told “the business was better than they ever anticipated.” 

Although older, the same can be said of Chili’s Grill and Bar who stay “consistently busy.” 

7 Brew Coffee, that recently opened a location on Highway 160 in Alamosa, is part of a national chain. The original plan had been to locate in Durango but, after doing some research with surrounding municipalities, decided to be in Alamosa due to an open and welcoming business atmosphere. 

Woods is definitive in saying that Alamosa has a number of factors working in its favor. Not only is the town the hub for the Valley and surrounding areas, but it also offers demographics not typically found in smaller cities, including two universities and a strong health care presence with SLV Health, which, along with Adams State University, is one of the largest employers. 

The viability of the demographics is also backed up by what large chains discover when opening a store in the area: business exceeds expectations. 

A more detailed analysis of economic development can be expected in the Valley Courier in the weeks to come.