County, Meeker

Consumers, businesses work together

MEEKER I There’s no doubt times are tough for small businesses but according to former retailer Cinda Baxter, it’s business owners — not the economy or circumstances — that determine whether or not a business succeeds.
Meeker Chamber of Commerce president Margie Joy welcomed a group of business owners and consumers to a June 7 presentation she described as “how we can all be the rising tide that raises the ship.”
Baxter, who owned and operated a high-end stationery store in Minneapolis for more than a decade, has turned her passion for the success of brick and mortar stores into a nationwide campaign. As a well-respected social networking pioneer, blogger, speaker, and founder of The 3/50 Project, Baxter is focused on bringing communities together to support small business and the local consumer, not just one or the other.
The 3/50 Project, which started as an idea on her blog, Always Upward, went “viral.” The project, or challenge, asks people to think of three local brick and mortar businesses they would hate to lose, then take $50 of the money they already spend in a month, and spend it at one or more of those local stores instead of taking it out of town or shopping online.
“It’s not an all or nothing approach. It’s okay to still go to a big box store, or choose a national brand, just balance it out,” Baxter said.
“It’s not about ‘shop local’ or ‘buy local,’” she added. “The goal is to support all local businesses.”
According to the statistics on The 3/50 Project website, for every $100 spent in individual brick and mortar stores, $68 stays in the community. The same $100 spent at a big box store only returns $43 to the local community, and money spent online returns nothing to the local community. If half the employed population spent $50 a month (that they are already spending somewhere else) at an independent brick and mortar store, it would generate $42.6 billion in revenue.
Baxter encourages consumers to first look toward their local businesses before they choose to buy.
For business owners, The 3/50 Project provides a number of free resources for businesses participating in the project, everything from printable flyers and banners to window clings.
“The economy will turn around, everything is cyclical,” Baxter said. What business owners do in times of crisis will decide the future of small businesses. Baxter’s goal is to provide businesses with tools, cooperation and information to help them make the kinds of decisions that will ensure their success.
Where consumers buy their goods does make a difference to the economy, to communities. “It has to be an all-community project in order to make this float,” Baxter said.
To register your business, or access the projects resources, visit www.the350project.net or visit Baxter’s site, www.alwaysupward. com for more information.
The presentation was sponsored by the Meeker Chamber of Commerce and Meeker Drugs.

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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
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View on Instagram |
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3 days ago
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
5 days ago
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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