Taking Extreme Measures To Bring Back Local Business - Moapa ...

By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley Progress

Steve Getz stands in front of his commercial property in downtown Overton. In an attempt to encourage new local business, Getz is offering six months free rent in his building. Photo by vernon Robison.

As economic conditions in the region have declined in recent years, the business climate in the downtown district of Overton has slowed significantly. It has reached a point now where it seems that there are more empty downtown business spaces than there are occupied spaces.

One owner of downtown commercial space is trying to do something about this. And he is willing to try some innovative methods in the process.

Steve Getz is a former Overton resident. He lived here for ten years before moving to Kanab, Utah about two years ago. But he still owns commercial space in downtown Overton; the desert orange building directly across from the former Books Etc. building.

The building has several units, most having two small rooms and a separate restroom. The building has been recently renovated to suit commercial tenants.

In a recent interview, Getz said he has been able to keep most of the units occupied since purchasing the building. But as of this month, the entire building will be empty.

Getz looks up and down the street at all the empty buildings and shakes his head.

?We have to do something to get business moving back into the community,? he said.

Getz notes that, in a small town, some of the most faithful customers are those who are working everyday in the downtown district. But with so many local businesses closing their doors there is less business traffic going on downtown.

?It hurts everyone who is left when a business closes down,? Getz said. ?It just creates this downward spiral that we are seeing here. We need to create traffic back to downtown.?

To do that, Getz is offering something bold with his own building. For new businesses locating in downtown Overton, Getz is offering six months free rent in his building with no obligation to stay after the six months is up.

?I think there is still a lot of opportunities for new business, but people are too nervous to have to enter into a lease,? Getz said. ?I figure if the building is just going to sit empty, why not give someone a chance that will help the overall business environment in town.?

Getz recognizes that there may not currently be enough traffic left in Overton to sustain a traditional retail business. But he thinks that the right internet sales business, drawing on a broader market than local consumers, could succeed. He also sees locally centered service providers and niche shops as possible successful endeavors.

Getz said that he has been in touch with county officials trying to encourage a similar outside-the-box approach to encourage local commerce in Overton.

?I?d suggest a streamlined business licensing process,? he said. ?Maybe issuing a fast track, temporary 50 day business license where a new business can get started without hiring an attorney to fill out all the applications. At least to get a start and see if it can work.?

Getz said that he had not heard anything back from county staff on these suggestions. Nevertheless, he said he is still going to move forward with his own plans in an attempt to bring new business to downtown.

Potential business owners who would like more information on this offer can call Getz at 702-379-1031 or email him at sagetz@aol.com.

Source: http://mvprogress.com/2013/01/02/taking-extreme-measures-to-bring-back-local-business/

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