We were saddened a bit when we received the annual business list from West Wendover City offices.
On one hand unlike the past 7 years there hasn’t be a decline are at least not a big one since last year. At least we think not, we will know the final count by Friday. But on the other hand two business closed that trouble us deeply.
The first Toana Greens was the development that was supposed to be a rebirth of the Silver Leaf project which was a rebirth of the Kassuba project. In the end the vacant lots which were supposed to be tracts of new houses and businesses will remain vacant lots.
The second closure was that of Wendover Realty.
With its demise Wendover has only one locally licensed real estate agent.
Unlike any other business, real estate agents are the forever optimists.
They are the biggest boosters and best salesmen any town can have because their very livelihoods depend on it.
The city can print as many leaflets, hold as many feel good meetings, do as many mass mailings as it wants but without a real estate agent to sing the praises of a community, all of that can go quickly to naught.
Of course we were heartened by Lori Bottari’s continued presence on the city’s list of business.
As a booster there can be none better and we suggest that our city administration make a concerted effort to boost her business as much as it possibly can.
But that’s another problem. Our city seems to have a problem with small “c” Capitalism.
Yes we know that individually small businesses don’t generate near the revenue large ones do. But collectively they are the life’s blood not only of our city but of all cities.
With a declining population and with our major industry limping along not to mention a national recession that seems to be never ending our city simply can’t afford to turn its nose up at any business opportunity.
Yes we know there is a gold mine coming in but if city policy continues the way it is, all that potential growth will remain only potential and like the Ruby Mountain pipeline its will be Wells with its business friendly attitude that will reap most of the benefits and not Wendover.