A screenshot of the Visit Los Alamos homepage. Courtesy/LAC

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

In February, Los Alamos County hit the button to make the business and events directories on the Los Alamos County website as well as Visit Los Alamos website go live, providing a platform for local businesses and nonprofits to promote themselves and events at no charge.

Economic Development Project Manager Anita Barela said there are 71 businesses registered on the site, but hopefully more will take advantage of the opportunity.

“We have this great thing for people to use,” she said.

The websites are a tool for local people to look for businesses they may want to support and for visitors to plan their trips to Los Alamos, Barela said. It showcases where to eat, stay and visit. The website also features business and events directories.

Getting included in the business directory is simple, Barela said. Search for the business directory on the County website, and then click the link to be directed to that page and then click register. The only requirement for advertising a business or organization is a valid business license, she said. Once registered, a business or organization can submit hours of operation, upload photos and enter URLs for their individual websites.

So far, the businesses’ reception to the new site has been positive, Barela said.
“They’re happy we are doing it,” she said. “It is another way to get their name out there. Just one more way to advertise.”

Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC) Executive Director Lauren McDaniel encouraged local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the businesses and events directories.

“LACDC, and through the Chamber and MainStreet programs, have been promoting this widely to our local businesses, as it takes only a few minutes to sign up and from there provides ongoing and essentially effortless marketing for the business community,” she said.

McDaniel added that she believes the County plans to widely promote the directories through the seasonal quarterly Activity Guide, Los Alamos Adventure Guide, Atomic City Transit buses and the Los Alamos and White Rock Visitor Centers. LACDC also shares resources like this, she said.

“It’s a good way to bring locals and visitors together to know what businesses to support,” McDaniel said. “While many use Google and AI-generated itineraries and recommendations for local business … these days, having one comprehensive directory is like a curated guide to the area. It can also help people find what they need more quickly by comparing options, checking hours and making decisions faster. It can even improve SEO (search engine optimization) and discoverability for these businesses, especially smaller businesses, as larger brands typically dominate search results and ads.”