Region's Better Business Bureau in demand after merger

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 12, 2004 by BRE LEBEUF THE GAZETTE

[CORRECTION: The number of inquiries made to the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado in April and May was 44,000. Correction ran 6/15/2004.]

After a merger between the Better Business Bureaus of Colorado Springs and Pueblo, the newly-named Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado has been adjusting to the growth of the organization in more ways than one.

After adding 230 businesses, bringing the total number of members to 2,420, the bureau of Southern Colorado is making an impact.

The bureau had 4,400 inquiries about businesses from consumers in April and May -- almost double the number of inquiries they had this time last year, said Executive Director and chief executive of the bureau Carol Odell.

"It's so great because we can get business to the good businesses," she said, "and we can help prevent customers from having bad experiences."

To accommodate the larger number of customers and businesses, Odell said the bureau will put together advisory boards to make sure people are getting what they want and need.

Two people were hired in preparation for the merger, and the bureau will hire sales and account representatives in several locations to represent it across southern Colorado, Odell said.

"The needs of businesses and customers can and will be addressed more quickly because we'll have more resources with a bigger bureau and more people," Odell said.

The Southern Colorado Better Business Bureau in Pueblo closed in January because of inefficiency and limited resources, Odell said. She thinks the bureau will be able to help more people with one office.

"We can be more efficient by merging," Odell said. "We can better serve customers and businesses as one."

The bureau in Colorado Springs changed its name from the Better Business Bureau of the Pikes Peak Region to better reflect the area it covers.

The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado serves 25 counties and spans from Douglas County to New Mexico and Crested Butte to Kansas.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0162 or lebeuf@gazette.com

FOR INFORMATION

Call 1-719-636-1155 or tollfree 1-866-206-1800.

On the Internet at www.bbbsc.org.