The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“We get all kinds of questions…”
Marilyn Laverty of the Small Business Development Center at Western State College is making the rounds to tout the services of the group. Laverty came before the Crested Butte Town Council January 3 to give them a presentation on the business-coaching group.
Laverty said the group provides advice and answers to local small businesses. Local experts in marketing, accounting, business plan development, and web design are available to assist businesses and non-profits in the region.
Run through WSC, the 30-year-old program is accountable to the governor’s office.
“When people don’t have a lot of money but need answers, they can come to us for advanced business knowledge,” she explained to the council. “We deal with businesses that operate on very slim profit margins. We want to help local businesses. We want to be focused and we want to help sustain jobs in the area.”
Laverty said she has extensive business contacts and can help point businesses in the right direction, whether they are looking for a micro-loan or looking for help with their business plan.
“It is very rewarding work,” she said. “We get all kinds of questions. Right now we rely on word-of-mouth referrals but that is one reason for this visit. We want to reach out to the town and county governments and get the word out that we are here for people.”
Laverty said about 500 clients came through their doors last year. That included businesses in parts of seven area counties. She said Gunnison County drew the most inquiries (37 percent) probably because the office is located on the Western State campus.
Councilperson Jim Schmidt said he had received a question from a local businessman asking if there was anything like “disaster relief” if the snow situation doesn’t change for the valley. “It happens when there is a tornado or other natural disaster and this businessman felt not having adequate snow could fit into that category,” said Schmidt.
Laverty said that was a good question that she would look into. “I could see perhaps that there could be some low-interest loans out there,” she said.
Laverty can be reached at 943-3157.
