Greeley Named One of the Best Cities for Small Business in 2026

Ask any business owner in Greeley and they’ll tell you that Greeley supports small businesses. Now there’s a national ranking to back it up.

Greeley has been named one of the 15 best cities for small business in 2026, landing at No. 12 in a national study from Bluevine that measured 100 U.S. metro areas on business survival, growth, and the cost of doing business. In one category, Greeley topped the entire list.

For more than 40 years, FMS Bank has served Fort Morgan, Greeley, and communities across Northern Colorado. We see the work behind this ranking every day, and we couldn’t be prouder of the city leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members who helped earn it.

Where Local Business Feels Supported

Greeley was the smallest metro in the study, and it still outranked 88 larger metros. Here’s how it stacked up:

• No. 12 overall out of 100 metro areas
• No. 1 of all 100 metros for cost of doing business
• No. 17 for business growth
• One of three Colorado cities in the top 15, alongside Colorado Springs and Denver, making Colorado the only state with three

The study pointed to strong median income and income growth, plus a location within an hour of Denver without big-city costs. In plain terms, it costs less to start and run a business here, and the customers walking through your door have more to spend.

This ranking didn’t come out of nowhere. Between 2010 and 2020, the Greeley metro grew by roughly 30%, making it the fourth fastest-growing metro area in the country, according to the U.S. Census. City leaders are planning for a lot more.

• The West Greeley Project will bring a new home for the Colorado Eagles, along with housing, dining, and retail. 
• The University of Northern Colorado welcomed the first class of its new College of Osteopathic Medicine this fall. 
• The agriculture and food production industries continue to anchor the local economy.

Entrepreneurs here also don’t have to go it alone. The East Colorado Small Business Development Center offers free consulting and training. The Ambry gives startups a co-working home in Downtown Greeley. 1 Million Cups Greeley brings founders together every week. And the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce, a partner we’re proud to support, keeps local businesses connected.

Small Business Banking in Greeley, Built Around You

At FMS Bank, we’re one of the few community banks in Colorado that remains locally owned and operated. Our bankers live and work in the communities they serve, including at our Greeley branch at 2425 35th Avenue, and decisions about your business get made close to home by people who know this market. We’re proud to be a preferred SBA lender, helping local owners buy a business, purchase a building, invest in equipment, or buy out a partner. 

Whether you’re opening your first location or planning your next expansion, you’ll work with a banker who knows your name, your goals, and your neighborhood. If you’re comparing banks in Greeley, stop by our branch or contact our team.