Wednesday, February 11, 2026 |
Photo – Rawlins City Council – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Despite recent business closures, Rawlins officials say the city still offers plenty of opportunities for residents.
During the February 3rd Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Derek Elliott said he became aware that three businesses had recently closed, including two restaurants and a laundromat. Councilman Elliot said the loss of these businesses will have a negative impact on the city.
Councilman Elliot said he would like to see more businesses open in the city. However, to bring in more stores and shops, the councilman said Rawlins must first attract more residents and visitors.
Councilwoman Tonya Lewman said businesses are closing because the city is losing population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Rawlins lost over 1,200 residents between 2015 and 2024. Without any major attractions, Councilwoman Lewman said the city must rely on its existing residents.
Councilwoman Lewman added that city officials are not standing by while businesses close. She said local organizations and city staff are taking steps to attract more business and housing opportunities to Rawlins.
Councilwoman Lewman encouraged anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the community to join a board or committee, or to run for City Council.
Vice Mayor Darril Garner said residents and city officials place too much emphasis on negative comments. Instead, Vice Mayor Garner urged people to look at all the new storefronts that have recently opened.
Vice Mayor Garner said Rawlins has seen four or five new businesses open this year alone, yet negative comments about the city continue to spread. The vice mayor challenged his fellow Council members to help educate the public about the city’s issues rather than complain about them.
Vice Mayor Garner said he is also guilty of dwelling on the negative, at times, but is working to shift his attention toward the positive.
Councilman Elliot denied disparaging the city, saying the businesses did, in fact, close and that many residents lost their jobs as a result.
Councilman Elliot said the Council must be honest about both the good and the bad happening in the city, adding that without addressing the issues, nothing will change. Following Elliot’s comments, the Council moved on to the next item on the agenda.
