PROPuebloCO: Promoting low cost of living is hurting Pueblo
Is Pueblo’s low cost of living still a marketing asset?
The new PROPuebloCO group dedicated to promoting Pueblo and bettering the community on three specific fronts has one suggestion for those wanting to help their cause: be vigilant online.
Be a ‘cyber warrior,’ Jack Rink told the group at a planning and idea meeting this week. The goal is to decrease ‘vagrancy’ by discouraging people from moving to Pueblo solely for its low cost of living.
The group says these people are sucking resources out of the community.
Low cost of business and living have been a consecutive message in marketing Pueblo in the last few years, particularly in attracting new business — the job of the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation. Rink was the president of PEDCO for five years.
In 2015 PEDCO’s website talked about the cost of living and housing:
In 2013:
Now Rink and a group of Puebloans have changed their mind about the marketing plea. Cheap is not the way to grow, they say.
The group wants to “respectfully request that other community groups de-emphasize Pueblo’s low cost of living.” Though, they say affordability is okay to mention in context.
Working with lawmakers to establish residency requirements for benefits when possible is also on the group’s to-do list.
Finally, Rink said that anybody can play their part by putting to rest any rumors on the web that may point to a utopia of free aid in Pueblo.
Resources are tapped, Rink said. But also pointed out that there should be a welcoming message to those who are interested in Pueblo for tourism or considering a serious move to the Steel City.
As for their progress?
Well.
The PEDCO website still mentions Pueblo has a cost-effective place to live:
