When we talk about the economic health of Mesa County, we often focus on growth, what’s happening in the housing market and consumer spending. But for local employers, quality of life for their teams is incredibly important: Can our employees find affordable housing? Do they have reliable child care? Is our community a place where people want to stay and raise a family?

At Mesa County Public Health, we know that a strong local economy relies on a healthy, supported workforce. That’s why we’re encouraging business leaders and employees to participate in the newly launched Mesa Vibe Check.

The Mesa Vibe Check is an anonymous, quality-of-life assessment open to all adults in Mesa County through Sept. 30. It is completely anonymous, quick to complete and easy to take on a phone or computer.

“Our primary goal is to learn about priorities for residents and identify hidden issues related to their quality of life, because a healthier community begins by truly listening to the people who call it home,” said Alice Ireland, Mesa County Public Health data and informatics manager.

While it’s designed to gather community feedback, the questions also represent key drivers of local business success, including:

• Housing affordability, local safety, trails and overall community livability. These factors heavily influence whether workers stay or relocate.
• Access to quality healthcare, mental-health programs, and dependable child care, which directly affects absenteeism, turnover and workplace productivity.

“Ultimately, this data guides us to evaluate key initiatives and prioritize resources where they will have the greatest impact as we head into our next Community Health Needs Assessment in 2027,” Ireland said.

The Community Health Needs Assessment is a comprehensive report that is completed every three years in partnership with local hospitals and other organizations. It provides a snapshot of all of the factors that contribute to the overall health of people in Mesa County.

As business leaders, your voice, and the collective voice of your team, matters. Here is how you can support this effort:

• Take the Mesa Vibe Check yourself, and share your own perspective as a local employer or resident.
• Pass the link along to your employees in your internal communications, staff newsletters or break-room flyers.
• Stay informed. Participants can opt in to receive the final report, giving you valuable local data to inform your own organizational planning.

A thriving business environment starts with a thriving community. Let’s make sure the business perspective, and the needs of our workforce, are fully represented.

Take the 5-minute Mesa Vibe Check today by going online to: bit.ly/mesa-vibe-check.

Sarah Gray is a communication specialist with Mesa County Public Health. For additional information, call (970) 248-6900 or visit mesacounty.us/public-health.