The business impact of the Resource Center

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) -The Unhoused Resource Center has been a core part of the Grand Junction community since January.

For some, it is a light of goodwill. “Not all of us are bad. Some of us do not choose to live this way,” said Liz Ross, an unhoused person.

On October 30th, business owners met with the Grand Junction City Council and talked about the impacts the center had. “We can only do so much. We need City Council to step up and do something about this,” remarked Ben Van Dyke, owner of Van’s Car Washes.

“We have businesses who are truly concerned. If the Resource Center continues for the time left in the lease, their businesses may not survive,” shared Nina Anderson, owner & CEO of Express Employment Professionals.

Anderson reflected on how the center has made her business question its safety since opening: “We are having to spend money on security for our staff and customers.”

And Van Dyke told us it has been putting a strain on his business’s budget which sits right across the street from the Resource Center, “Our revenue dropped about 30%. For other businesses in the area, it is the same story for all of them.”

Both of these businesses are in the downtown area of Grand Junction. Both owners gave us more than criticism and concern. They genuinely want what is best for the less fortunate in our community and believe that the center is a step towards a solution.

“We need to have a balanced approach that can protect our community’s vibrancy,” commented Anderson, “And support the individuals that are committed to improving their lives.”

“I think if we want to tackle the problem, we need to look towards overnight shelters in a different location,” added Van Dyke.

For those who need it most, the Resource Center does help. “The Resource Center is a godsend to us. If we did not have that, we would not be able to survive,” said Ross.

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