LALBC News:

Local businesses are the lifeblood of Los Alamos—yet doing business here comes with unique challenges. Many in our community feel the hardship of navigating an environment where, despite significant investments in numerous County plans over the years, tangible progress remains elusive. A recent National Community Survey underscores this sentiment, with 77% of Los Alamos residents ranking the improvement of the local business environment as a top priority.

Second Forum: Are County Plans Delivering Results?

Building on the insights from our first forum—where key players from LACDC, SBDC, and the Los Alamos County Economic Development Department shared their experiences—we are now taking a closer look at the many existing County plans. These plans, developed over years and at considerable expense, are designed to address the challenges local businesses face. Yet critical questions remain:

• Are these strategies making a real difference?
• Or are they stalling as mere documents, with little follow-through?
• Is our community’s feedback being effectively integrated?
• What do these plans envision for Los Alamos, and how do they propose to achieve that vision?

This forum will provide a platform to analyze what the County plans actually say about supporting local businesses—and to determine whether these initiatives are driving the change we need.

Intended Goals & Outcomes of the Forum Series

Our forum series brings together business support organizations, community members, and local government to review and evaluate County plans for economic growth and revitalization. We aim to assess whether these investments are making a real impact, explore smarter ways to use regulatory tools like LEDA, and spark practical, community-driven solutions for a thriving Los Alamos business environment.

Forum Purpose & Agenda

• Review of Existing County Plans: We will examine seven key planning documents that outline strategies for economic growth, business retention, and downtown revitalization.
• Assessing Challenges & Strategies: The forum will connect the real-world challenges local businesses face with the solutions proposed in these plans. We’ll critically ask: are these plans delivering on their promises?
• Community & Business Input: Using an interactive tool, we will capture live feedback from attendees, creating a community-driven session that empowers you to shape the conversation.
• Local Business Highlights: Hear directly from local business owners about their experiences—their successes, ongoing struggles, and perspectives on whether these plans are working.

Plans Available for Review

Community members are encouraged to review the following documents before the forum. Each contains goals, strategies, and measurable steps intended to boost local business and community well-being:

1. Council Strategic Leadership Plan (2025)
2. Los Alamos Comprehensive Plan (2016)
3. Los Alamos County Economic Vitality Strategic Plan (2019)
4. Los Alamos Tourism Strategic Plan (2018)
5. Los Alamos Creative District Plan (2011)
6. Los Alamos Affordable Housing Plan (2024)
7. Los Alamos Downtown Master Plan (2021)

(Additional relevant plans may also be referenced during the forum.)

Who Should Attend

• Local business owners and managers eager to understand whether County plans are translating into on-the-ground improvements
• Community members committed to a thriving local business environment
• Elected officials and County staff involved in economic development initiatives
• Anyone passionate about making Los Alamos a more vibrant place to live, work, and shop

Event Details

• Date/Time: Wednesday, March 13 at 5:30 p.m.
• Location: SALA Event Center – also available via Zoom
• Format: Brief presentations on County plans, interactive community input sessions, Q&A, and local business spotlights

About the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition

The Los Alamos Local Business Coalition is a collaborative organization of local business owners and community members dedicated to fostering a thriving business environment in Los Alamos and White Rock. We advocate for solution-focused policies, structures, and accountability that support our local businesses, working in collaboration with key organizations and incorporating community input to address shared priorities for the betterment of the entire Los Alamos area.

For more information on this forum or upcoming events, visit:

https://coalition.losalamos.com/forums/forum-for-improving-los-alamos-local-environment

The community is invited to attend at 5:30 p.m., March 13 to share insights, ask tough questions, and help shape the future of Los Alamos’s business community.