Economy - Business

Index: Economy

Economy - Business

What We Measured | Highlights
Related Studies | Additional Resources

What We Measured:

Highlights:

In 2007, farms in Larimer County are more numerous, but smaller in acreage. As farms decrease in size, more women are becoming farmers. (Agriculture in Larimer County)
From 2001 to 2009, employment in the Manufacturing sector decreased 35%, a net loss of 6,598 jobs. These jobs have historically been some of the higher paying jobs in the County. (Employment & Wages by Industry)
Businesses with fewer than ten employees accounted for 76.9% of all establishments in Larimer County in 2009. The majority (98.5%) of Larimer County business establishments had fewer than 100 employees, which was higher than Colorado (98.2%) and the nation (97.7%) during the same period. (Larimer County Employers)
In 2007, 92.8% of Larimer County firms were owned by White residents. The majority of minority business owners, 54.8%, were Hispanic. (Minority Business Ownership)
In 2010, per capita personal income in Larimer County ($38,546) was lower than in Colorado ($42,226) and the United States ($39,945). After adjusting for inflation, per capita income in Larimer County has decreased 4.1% since 2001. (Per Capita Income)
Since 2002, the unemployment rate for Fort Collins-Loveland has been consistently lower that the rate for the United States or Colorado. Between July 2010 and December 2011, the unemployment rate in Larimer County has declined one full percentage point, from 7.3% to 6.3%. (Unemployment Rate)

Related Studies:

According to the 2011 Colorado Business Economic Outlook [pdf], prepared by the University of Colorado, Leeds School of Business, Colorado employers are expected to add 10,100 non-farm jobs in 2011. All sectors expected to show gains in 2011 with the exception of the Construction, Manufacturing, Information, and Government sectors. (December 2010)
Toward a More Competitive Colorado (October 2010) is an annual report produced by Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. This sixth edition compares Colorado's competitive position against the other 49 states. Colorado ranks second in the nation for the number of adults with a bachelor's degree.
Fort Collins Master Plan - discusses the city's plans for the next 25 years.
Did the Great Recession Wipe Out a Decade of Economic Progress in Colorado? [pdf] (March 2011), Martin Shields and Michael Marturana of Colorado State University, report that Colorado lost more than 126,000 jobs since the recession began in December 2007.
The June 2007 study, The Role of Health Care and Social Assistance in Larimer County's Economy [pdf], highlights the growing impact of this industrial sector, which currently employs over 10% of the County's workforce.
Losing Ground: Colorado's Vanishing Agricultural Landscape [pdf] documents Colorado's loss of 1.26 million acres of agricultural lands since 1997. The report highlights the importance of productive agriculture to the rural economy, the environment, and to tourism. (Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center - April 2006)
A Profile of Older Workers in Colorado [pdf] - (January 2005) - this United States Census Bureau report contains details on what industries are most affected by the aging workforce, and demand and job stability for older workers.
Kaufman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity - This report measures the rate of business creation at the individual owner level.
FDIC State Profiles - This quarterly report provides information on banking trends and a variety of economic indicators.
Citizen Survey Results (Fort Collins) - every few years the City of Fort Collins surveys its citizens to solicit feedback on what the City is doing well and what needs improvement.
Downtown Strategic Plan Draft [pdf] (Amended December 2006) - This report, sponsored by the City of Fort Collins, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the Downtown Business Association (DBA), explores and responds to a selected number of crucial issues facing downtown Ft. Collins.

Related issues within Compass:

Additional Resources:

Colorado Business Resource Guide - provides general information to assist in the starting up and operation of small businesses.
Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
Colorado Enterprise Zones - information on local contacts, tax credits and maps of all Colorado enterprise zones.
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Colorado Secretary of State - the business section contains downloadable forms for business and non-profit use, and additional information to help Colorado businesses.
Colorado Tax Information
Internal Revenue Service - forms and publications.
Larimer County Workforce Center
United States Census Bureau Economic Programs - contains economic and business survey data.

Chambers of Commerce: