tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144986782011-07-12T15:45:47.580-06:00Information on the real estate market, Northern Colorado economic and real estate markets, local events and randomnessJohn Catheyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05204142930668507945noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14498678.post-1122413082154319322005-07-26T15:17:00.000-06:002005-07-26T15:24:42.156-06:00What is in store for the Fort Collins city economy?<br /><br />A newspaper report from today indicated that there is a $1,000,000 possible gap in tax revenue for the city. While Fort Collins is sitting at 4.4% unemployment rate, below the national average, the news from the forefront of corporations such as Kodak and Agilent do not point to good news for this struggling economy.<br /><br />In case you haven't heard... Kodak has announced nationwide layoffs, as has HP/Agilent. The effect on our local factories is yet unknown but there is sure to be some impact. ShopKo is closing its Colorado stores within 3 months and there are the other companies that have taken to massive layoffs or even the threat of closing down completely, Advanced Energy and Celestica. Many times the workers in these arenas find it tough to find jobs that pay as much as the ones that they had and thus the economic cycle is borne...<br /><br />They don't buy a new car when they get laid off... the car dealerships take the hit... tax revenue takes the hit... we can see where the loss of jobs put pressure on all of the parts of the city.<br /><br />So, what is a person to do? Unfortunately the answer may be sit and wait. Awaiting news from our local companies on how the national layoffs will affect us locally and wait to see how new development could impact our economy. It appears we may be on the hold of a boom in our city, after a few years of lagging behind, with the unemployment rate going down. Let's just all hope we're in for that silver lining... and not more cloud!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14498678-112241308215431932?l=johncathey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>John Catheyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05204142930668507945noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14498678.post-1121380166291826852005-07-14T16:09:00.000-06:002005-07-14T16:29:26.296-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2107/1314/1600/car3.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2107/1314/320/car3.gif" border="0" /></a><br />With the gas prices reaching an average of $2.33/gal., how are you conserving? Gas is expected to go up in price, possibly getting to $3 or more/gal. At what point will you reduce your car usage or have you already?<br /><br />With the dog days of Summer upon us it is almost crucial that we find time to enjoy ourselves on those rare occasions we are not at work or school. With the price of gas being so high, I have a few local suggestions for cooling off that doesn't require a second mortgage!<br /><br />Fort Collins Area...<br /> <br /> <em>Enjoy some time indoors with a good play! Bas Bleu Theatre off Laporte in Old Town, Lincoln Center... these are just a few of the excellent venues we have in this city for a night of living in your imagination. For more information check out the Friday edition of the Coloradoan or <a href="http://www.colordoan.com">www.colordoan.com</a> and the Ticket section for upcoming plays!</em><br /><em></em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6666cc;"> Become smarter in an afternoon! Did you know our area has a children's museum? The Discovery Children's Museum on Prospect is great for all ages! Interactive exhibits, low admission price and more! Tuesday- Saturday 10am-5pm. While I was there I hoisted myself up a large tower with my own brute strength, operated a toy train, pumped a bicycle with a carbon copy of my skeletal self and danced in front a giant colored screen. Too cool! Plus there is the Fort Collins Museum open the same time as Discovery plus Sundays from 12n-5pm- Free admission!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#6666cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#ff0000;"> <em>Eat, drink and be merry. Or just take a tour of the Anheuser Busch factory! All I've ever heard is good things about this tour. Open daily July- August from 10am-5pm <a href="http://www.budweisertours.com/">http://www.budweisertours.com/</a></em></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#ff0000;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#ff0000;"><em> </em><span style="font-family:arial;color:#330099;">Take a hike! Sometimes the driving out of town to get to a good trail is expensive so stick around town! There are miles and miles of biking and walking trails around town plus Horsetooth Resevior is just up the bend! Take lots of water, a little food and a good camera so you can get tons of pictures and email me some of your favorites!!!</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14498678-112138016629182685?l=johncathey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>John Catheyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05204142930668507945noreply@blogger.com0