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Friday, February 17, 2017
Last Chance To Give The Gift Of Daffodils
As the first flower of spring, the daffodil is a symbol of hope. The Daffodil Sales, “Hope By the Bunch” campaign coincides with the arrival of spring and provides support in the fight against cancer. The fundraiser provides not only cheer and hope to the recipients of the flowers, but will also
serve as a reminder of the power of early detection when combating preventable cancers such as colorectal or breast cancer. The proceeds from daffodil sales will support the American Cancer Society’s effort to finish the fight against cancer through lifesaving research. Cost of flowers is just $10 a bunch. Daffodils must be ordered by this Friday, February 17 and paid in advance by cash or check payable to the American Cancer Society. Flower deliver will be approximately March 7, 2017. To order your flowers, contact Loretta DeWitt 970-586-3464, or Kathy Semerad 970-586-7367 or Lois Ellingwood, 970586-3064.
Open Discussion On Depression Join Maria Medina for an open discussion on depression, daily struggles, or anything you may
just need to discuss, every Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. in the back room at Kind Coffee. Call Maria for more information 970-646-5642.
Read our Virtual E-Edition at www.epnews.com
Quarterly Economic Summary And Forecast By: Dr. John W. Green, Economist
holds. Estes Park benefits from these new residents as they recreate. Provided by Bank of Estes Park My strongest sector in the Estes Park February 2017 economy is RMNP visitation although it My theme last quarter was The Ecstasy would appear from the Town data preand The Agony. The Estes Park economy sented in the Dashboard that retail sales was doing very well but the closure of have also increased very rapidly, data Highway 34 for rebuilding was likely to which the Colorado Department of Revcause some agony. So far, however, the enue publishes with a several month lag. agony does not seem to be happening. My Estes Park Economic Indicator was The Town of Estes Park has initiated a very strong in November, hitting a 20% great service to the community called the growth rate, up from 0.3% in October Economic Dashboard. It can be found at and a negative number in September. this website: /www.colorado.go There were four negative growth months v/pacific/townofestespark/salestax at the (year-over-year) through November in bottom of the page. Let me summarize 2016 but, overall, growth was comfortNovember 2016 economic conditions: ably positive in 2016. This agrees with Sales tax colthe Economic lections up Dashboard in18% year-overformation. year (yoy); up The first half 7.6% year-toof 2017 should date (ytd) exhibit ecoHwy. 34 trafnomic growth fic count down 30% yoy; down 5.6% ytd in Estes Park although the weather and Hwy. 36 traffic count up 41.2% yoy; up road closures and conditions will be the 20.5% ytd ultimate determining factors. There is Park visitation down 2.1% yoy; up 8.7% much economic momentum in the Front ytd Range and Estes Park economies as we go into the new year. Business licenses issued up 37.7% yoy; up 39.4% ytd There is temporary uncertainty hanging over the national and local economies reBuilding permits issued up 66.7% yoy; lated to the newly installed Trump Adup 28.8% ytd Highway 34 traffic is down as expected ministration and Republican-controlled Congress. The fate of massive infrastrucbut Highway 36 traffic more than made ture spending, taxes and potential trade up for the loss. Visitors are more than wars will determine the growth rate of willing to make the hour longer drive to our intertwined economies in the last visit RMNP and Estes Park. half of 2017 and 2018. Retail sales have increased strongly in Please Note: This is a very brief sum2016, creating a positive retail sales busimary of a comprehensive, specialized, ness atmosphere leading to more comquarterly economic summary and foremitments to establish new businesses and cast report that Bank of Estes Park utibuild new structures. lizes internally, addressing the national, This dashboard picture agrees with my state, county, and local economies. The more regional economic assessment of complete version is available upon reLarimer County and Estes Park. The quest to bank clients of Bank of Estes strongest sector in the Larimer County Park, for private, individual use, without economy is the permitting and construcreproduction or distribution. This brief tion of multiunit apartment buildings. summary is being made available as a This sector is booming in Fort Collins service to the local Estes Park commuand Loveland. This strongly increases the demand for labor, the number of support nity. For questions or comments, please vehicles on the road to support construc- call Scott Applegate, Chief Credit Officer, tion and furnishing of these apartments, at 970-235-7027. and the retail sales to set up these house-