Local business groups form 'Impact Committee' to push aligned economic priorities

Leaders of Longmont’s business organizations told council at the retreat that they have formed a joint Impact Committee — representatives from the Economic Development Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Development Authority — to coordinate priorities, unify messaging and pursue high‑leverage projects.

"We got together to form the Impact Committee to work on needlemoving items for the city," said Dave Hick, vice chair of the EDP, describing the group’s intention to focus collective time on measurable initiatives rather than duplicative efforts. The committee meets monthly and incorporates periodic briefings with city staff.

Business leaders stressed the local economy’s structure: roughly 3,770 firms operate in Longmont, about 90% of them with fewer than 20 employees; only about 10% are primary employers that export goods or services and bring new dollars into the community. Presenters said the city’s commercial permit activity has lagged residential permitting and urged council to prioritize policies and permits that help retention and attraction of employers that produce outside revenue.

Committee members asked for three forms of council support: clearer, shared economic‑development goals and metrics; more timely and data‑driven staff engagement before policy votes; and sustained attention to reducing barriers for existing businesses (permitting, regulatory friction and workforce connections).

Next steps: the committee asked staff and council for early engagement on key policy items and offered to continue regular updates to the council as the group refines priorities.