LOS ALAMOS LOCAL BUSINESS COALITION NEWS RELEASE

The Los Alamos Local Business Coalition is excited to announce that the Cities Work partnership is beginning! We suggested Cities Work and initiated the first meeting on February 7, 2025. The Coalition steering team and three County councilors (Randall Ryti, Ryn Herrmann and David Reagor) met with a representative of Cities Work and they explained how at the end of the process they would present an in-depth report on County codes and best practices, they would draft ordinances and regulations, and they would meet with relevant officials about proposed reforms. We were all very impressed and hopeful that they could actually help us. For their part, Cities Work was impressed that we had already formed an active local Business Coalition, so a chunk of their work had already been done. The County Council voted to move forward with a partnership with Cities Work and its finally happening! 

If you haven’t heard of Cities Work, they are the Institute for Justice’s consulting initiative committed to increasing economic opportunity and fostering entrepreneurship in cities across the country. They partner with cities to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start a small business- all free of charge!

They work with prospective and current small business owners, County officials, and economic Development organizations to identify real world hurdles to starting a small business. They then offer comprehensive regulatory reform strategies based on these findings. 

Here’s what to expect. Cities Work needs to understand what’s going on in our County. Why do we have so many empty storefronts? Why are businesses going out of business everyday? Why do so many people have ideas about starting a business but are reluctant to jump in?

In order for them to understand our community, they need to talk to us: the business owners, the organizations tasked with supporting small business, County staff, businesses that have closed, and businesses that would like to open a storefront.

Every detail they learn about our community could help us make changes to the way things are done. The Coalition has been working hard to identify barriers to Los Alamos having a thriving small business environment. Working with Cities Work and then actually taking their recommendations and enacting them is crucial to that goal. 

We the Coalition steering team will be working hand in hand with Cities Work to facilitate conversations, make important connections, host educational events for the public, host round tables, and help them in any way we can. 

We invite all small business owners to reach out to us to find out how you can be involved. Your voice and your experience are so important! We are compiling lists of contacts and we want as many businesses as possible to participate (whether you are Coalition members or not, although at this point, why wouldn’t you be?)

Community members, please know that part of Cities Work grassroots effort will be door-to-door canvassing and hosting educational events that you will be invited to. Please make time to share your experiences in Los Alamos.

Together we can help shape changes that can help revitalize our beautiful small town! 

Contact the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition at Coalition.losalamos.com