For many, many reasons, it’s not easy to own a business in Ely.
The challenges are obvious, ranging from a small population to a seasonal economy to difficulties in finding and keeping employees to often burdensome regulations and taxes.
Not to mention the changing times and consumers’ ability to buy products online.
Most of these obstacles aren’t unique to Ely. They are faced by business owners across rural America.
The decision to start or buy a business away from urban centers is indeed one giant leap of faith.
Yet once every 52 weeks, we here at the Ely Echo are both impressed and heartened to see the efforts of so many business owners and entrepreneurs in the Ely area.
This week and last, we have featured many of them in the pages of our annual Progress Edition.
Despite the always ongoing and present challenges, numerous business owners are taking steps to reinvest in their businesses or start anew, in many instances betting on Ely and our community.
We remain convinced that there’s no better place to live, work or vacation than Ely, and those business owners featured this year on our pages and those who have been spotlighted in the past seem to share that conviction.
The Ely economy is tenuous at best, yet over two weeks and on dozens of pages, we are seeing example after example of business owners who are taking a chance on Ely, and believing in Ely.
We believe also, and that’s one reason why we have put a Progress Edition together for 30plus years running, even amid the challenges and downturns.
We also urge all of our readers to consider, not just this week but 52 weeks a year, the investments and contributions that local businesses make and to “buy local” as much as you can.
These businesses have invested in our community, pay taxes here, employ people here and contribute to so many local causes. The online retailer or the store 50 or 100 miles down the road doesn’t do that.
We also urge you to check out the businesses featured in our Progress Edition.
Check them out, consider using their services, and thank them for their faith and investment in Ely. They are the future of our community.
