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EAGLE COUNTY - Business and government have funded a $50,000 study meant to determine the direction of Eagle County's economy and its population, among other issues. The as-yet-unnamed study will be conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business.
"We're not sure whether the makeup of the county is changing or if it will have to change," said Ron Wolfe, Avon's mayor.
Other items to be studied will be determined at a number of community meetings designed to sharpen the focus of the study, said Don Cohen of the Vail Valley Economic Council.
"Are we just going to get bigger or will we have the wealthy and the workers and a disappearing middle class?" asked Wolfe, noting a westward migration of locals. "Right now it looks like Rifle and Parachute may have to be the suburbs for Eagle County."
The study grew out of a series of meetings conducted by business leaders from Vail Resorts, East West Partners, Westar Banks, Eagle County and other organizations. Each contributed to the study with the county kicking in $15,000.
"We came up with the idea that we need to look more closely at the economy and project some of the trends," said Cohen.
The organizers are hopeful assumptions drawn by the study can be used by businesses to help plan. Cohen said.
"Let's say hypothetically your business is doing OK in a location at the eastern end of the county but the study shows population growth going west," said Cohen. "You might want to look at a western location."
Cohen said this is one of the first times he's seen major players join to support such a public/private initiative.
"It all points to a higher level of community cooperation," he said. "We're trying to understand what's happening so there will be a much better public discussion."
Avon's Wolfe said he's still a "healthy skeptic."
"I question how much we can predict and affect the future," he said.
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To Learn More
For more information about the study of Eagle County's future, call Don Cohen at 926-7899 or via e-mail: dcohen@vvec.org.
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Staff Writer Cliff Thompson can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 450, or cthompson@vaildaily.com.
Vail, Colo.
"We're not sure whether the makeup of the county is changing or if it will have to change," said Ron Wolfe, Avon's mayor.
Other items to be studied will be determined at a number of community meetings designed to sharpen the focus of the study, said Don Cohen of the Vail Valley Economic Council.
"Are we just going to get bigger or will we have the wealthy and the workers and a disappearing middle class?" asked Wolfe, noting a westward migration of locals. "Right now it looks like Rifle and Parachute may have to be the suburbs for Eagle County."
The study grew out of a series of meetings conducted by business leaders from Vail Resorts, East West Partners, Westar Banks, Eagle County and other organizations. Each contributed to the study with the county kicking in $15,000.
"We came up with the idea that we need to look more closely at the economy and project some of the trends," said Cohen.
The organizers are hopeful assumptions drawn by the study can be used by businesses to help plan. Cohen said.
"Let's say hypothetically your business is doing OK in a location at the eastern end of the county but the study shows population growth going west," said Cohen. "You might want to look at a western location."
Cohen said this is one of the first times he's seen major players join to support such a public/private initiative.
"It all points to a higher level of community cooperation," he said. "We're trying to understand what's happening so there will be a much better public discussion."
Avon's Wolfe said he's still a "healthy skeptic."
"I question how much we can predict and affect the future," he said.
==========================================
To Learn More
For more information about the study of Eagle County's future, call Don Cohen at 926-7899 or via e-mail: dcohen@vvec.org.
==========================================
Staff Writer Cliff Thompson can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 450, or cthompson@vaildaily.com.
Vail, Colo.
