I would like to comment on the high failure rate of small businesses in Fountain Hills.
This is just my opinion, but I feel there needs to be less dependence on the seasonal population of Fountain Hills by the small business community. I would be curious regarding the percentage of sales/profits of these businesses on a month-to-month basis. I would bet that from May to November, most of them struggle.
As I see it, the only solution to this is for the town to make a conscious and concerted effort to attract more young working families who live here full-time. And that means affordable housing. I understand many people do not like the sound of that. It does not have to be “low income” housing. But simply focusing on million-dollar-plus homes and seasonal rental enclaves is not going to solve this problem. Already, there are all too many unattractive business vacancies. And this has become a long-term problem.
