Potential job cuts could cripple Springs economy

On the line are 16,000 jobs and it could have a ripple effect on business.

Janis Carter’s coffee shop, Black Bear Coffee, depends on Fort Carson.

“It’s a huge number of our clientele,” she said.

But the people who walk through her doors every day are more than just clientele – she considers them family.

The shop has a wall of photos, with soldiers carrying her store’s mugs all over the world. When they come back, they share their stories.

“It would be detrimental if we were to lose any of our soldiers,” she said. “That’s who helps this coffee shop run.”

If you think the coffee shop’s story is unique, think again. Many businesses across Colorado Springs replicate that same sentiment – it’s not a client base, it’s a community. A community that could be devastated by the potential job cuts coming to Fort Carson.

“We work with army training contractors. If the budget were cut by two-thirds, then there would be a trickle-down effect that would jeopardize those contracts,” said Kenneth O’Neil with Braxton Technologies.

Braxton Technologies provides products and professional services for government, civil, and commercial customers…

While they’re worried about cuts to their company, they know they’re not the only ones affected.

“The trickle-down in the economy would be massive, if truly 16,000 soldiers were to go away,” he said. “Even things on this street right here… we have several bars and restaurants that will be affected if those troops weren’t coming down here after work.”

A trickle-down Carter is worried about because she doesn’t think her shop can make it without the mountain post.

“We do have great civilian clients, however it’s just not enough. The coffee shop would not sustain a blow like that,” she said.