NWCCOG Economic Development District

Resources Bulletin

September 6, 2022

Funding & Technical Assistance

El Pomar & Keystone Policy Center offer two virtual workshops on Government Funding

“Do’s and Don’ts of Seeking Government Funding”

 September 22 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.| Learn more and register here.

This first workshop will feature a panel of experts about best practices for completing grant applications. The session will also cover how to position your project and organization to compete for the grant, along with information about how to find funding opportunities.

“Meet the Experts”

September 29 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. | Learn more and register here.

This second workshop will offer a unique opportunity to discuss your project in small groups with government agency representatives. This session will be an interactive opportunity to help you determine what funding may fit your project and from which agency. Representatives from several government agencies will be available including DOLA, CHFA, Colorado Department of Early Childhood,

Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium, Behavioral Health Administration, OEDIT, Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act.

Colorado State Forest Service: Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grants

Deadline: Oct. 19 | More info here. Community groups, homeowner associations, utilities and nonprofit organizations are just some of the groups eligible to apply for grants from the $15 million funding pool.

Colorado Outdoor Equity Program

More info here. Funding for organizations, school districts, for-profit groups and others to create programs that give opportunities to underserved youth and communities to increase outdoor and recreation program access. This round provides grants of up to $150,000. There will be a Q&A session for applicants from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8. Complete information is available at cpw.state.co.us.

Community Wildfire Defense Grant

Deadline: October 7. The Community Wildfire Defense Grant is intended to help at-risk local communities plan for and reduce the risk against wildfire. Goals include restoring and maintaining landscapes, creating fire-adapted communities, and improving wildfire response. Supported project types include the development and revision of community wildfire protection plans, and the implementation of projects described in community wildfire protection plans that are less than ten years old.

Grants to address Homelessness: Continuum of Care Competition

Deadline: Sept. 30. HUD. The Continuum of Care Competition promotes a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. The program seeks to quickly re-house homeless individuals, families, persons fleeing domestic violence, and youth while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness; promote access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs by those experiencing homelessness; and optimize self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness.

Colorado Startup Loan Fund

OEDIT Business Funding and Incentives Division has partnered with eight lenders to launch the Colorado Startup Loan Fund. The Fund provides loans under $150,000 and micro-loans to business owners who have had trouble securing financing, need a smaller-than-average loan to get up and running or haven’t borrowed money before. Connect with a lender to guide you through the process to begin your journey, become your own boss, start the next chapter in your life.

Rural Economic Development Initiative Grants

Next grant cycle opens Sept. 1 and closes Sept. 30 | More info here. The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program is designed to help rural communities comprehensively diversify their local economy and create a more resilient Colorado. The most successful applications to this program are those from counties with less than 50,000 people, and from communities with fewer than 25,000 people. Projects that will be funded include plans, construction, programs, and capacity building. All applications must create and retain jobs, either direct or indirect. Projects should fall into one or more of the following categories: Job creation and retention; Capacity building; Economic resilience; supports entrepreneurial ecosystems.

US Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Grant Program

Deadline: October 13 | More info here. The Department of Transportation's new $1B Reconnecting Communities grant program has $250M in planning grants and $750M in construction grants over the next five years. The program is interested in creative solutions to reconnect communities.

Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant Program is Open

Next deadlines: September 30th, and December 31st of each year through 2025 or until all funding is allocated. OEDIT's Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant program – funds are made available through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Eligible entities include government bodies, nonprofits, colleges/universities, economic development organizations. More info here. Eligible projects include: Infrastructure improvements and upgrades; Marketing and event/asset promotion; Technical assistance and strategic planning; Other projects of high economic impact, particularly related to job creation and retention

Training Opportunities & Events

Mountain Towns 2030

Sept. 20-22 | Breckenridge, CO | Register Here!

If you live or work in a mountain community and want the knowledge, tools, and opportunities to network and learn from colleagues to fast-forward your climate action, please join us.  As leaders from mountain communities, this is our time to come together to collaborate on solutions and gain the knowledge that we all need to accelerate our collective progress on climate. Please register today! 

Thinking Ahead: Planning for a Recession

Recorded Webinar | https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=140420102

The SBDC just posted an on-demand webinar to help our local small businesses - "Thinking Ahead: Planning for a Recession." Presented by Dale Jasinski, based in Grand County.

Steamboat Chamber: Employer & Employee Housing Webinar

October 4 | 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m | Online | Register here 

The current housing market is making it difficult for employees to find housing and for employers to recruit and retain staff. Join the Chamber for a webinar that will focus on the financial and planning resources local employers have used to help provide employee housing, and local and state employee resources for home rental and buying. 

Creating a Culture of Retention: Retention & Engagement

October 12, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Zoom

Offered by the Steamboat Chamber. Register by emailing Cecilia@steamboatchamber.com

Join us to learn how to evaluate your current retention issues, gather and analyze data to understand your employees’ wants and needs, strategize with key stakeholders, and develop and implement and action plan. 

Leading Edge - Northwest Small Business Development Center

Sept 8 - Nov. 3 | Thursday Evenings 6pm- 8 pm. More info and register here. Does your business need focus? Join us for a 10-week deep-dive into the functional areas of your business and come out with clear direction.

AARP Housing for People of All Ages Workshop

September 21-22 | Online | Register here. Join AARP Livable Communities and other housing experts for a free online workshop about the ways communities nationwide can provide safe, affordable housing options for people of all ages, life stages, backgrounds, incomes, and abilities.

American Planning Association 2022 Policy and Advocacy Conference

September 28-29 | Online | Register here. Register for this inclusive conference that will provide guidance on the latest legislative policies and strategies, education on emerging and important topics, and opportunities to connect with other planners.

Rural Philanthropy Days

Sept. 13-15 |Hayden and Steamboat Springs| More info here.

Offered by Community Resource Center. The 2022 Northwest Rural Philanthropy Days conference is an exciting opportunity for nonprofit professionals, funders, community leaders, distinguished speakers, and elected officials to exchange knowledge and expand professional networks across the region from September 13-15. 

Outdoor Industry Summit

September 19 | 8am to 5pm | Salida Steamplant Event Center| Register here.

Offered by Central Mountains SBDC. Businesses, community organizations and engaged citizens in the Central Mountain Region (and around the state) are invited and encouraged to attend. Topics will include Sustainable Business Development; Stewardship Education and Advocacy; Leadership for the Future Grounded in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Resources and Tools to Educate and Protect our Public Lands While Still Promoting Tourism and Outdoor Adventures to All.

October 20-21, Denver, CO

CML's Annual Mayors' Summit

October 20-21 | Denver, CO. Registration opens soon for CML's annual event bringing together mayors from across the state to discuss critical issues facing their communities and share new and unique ideas.

Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program Town Hall

Oct. 12 | Summit County Community & Senior Center, Frisco, CO |12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. |RSVP HERE

Offered by CDLE Northwest Workforce Region, NWCCOG, and the Summit Chamber.  Join the Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) at our FAMLI Town Hall on October 12 at noon and learn more about Colorado's new statewide paid leave program. In-person and virtual options are available. Space is limited, so please RSVP here. ASL and ESL interpreters are available upon request with a required three business days notice. 

Summit Biz Bootcamp: 9-Week Business Development Program

Wednesday evenings | 6pm - 8 pm | Oct 5 - Dec. 10 | primarily virtual with some sessions in person

The Summit Biz Bootcamp is a 9-week business development program that’s powered by CO.STARTERS and brought to you by the Summit Economic Partnership. This is a program developed to help and support new and existing business owners and entrepreneurs with workshops, guest speakers, mentoring, coaching and educational classes. It's an interactive program with hands-on learning and activities. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and focus on your business.

Veterans Small Business Conference

October 12 | 9am to 12pm | Virtual & No Cost | Register here

Join us for this year’s premier event for veteran entrepreneurs. The virtual, statewide 15th Annual Veterans Small Business Conference will feature expert speakers, practical training sessions and relevant exhibitors for veterans at any stage in their entrepreneurial journey.  

StartUp to ScaleUp Yampa Valley

October 14-15 | Hayden, CO (in person) | Register Here

This two-day in-person short course is presented by the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and focuses on growing small businesses and organizations. This course is designed for second-stage small businesses and organizations, specifically, those looking or needing to shift out of their startup phase and into “what’s next”. Registration includes all course materials, light appetizers on 10/14, breakfast and lunch on 10/15. Early Bird: $55 (through 9/16/22)

Regular Pricing: $75

Drive, Lead, Succeed Conference - Economic Development Council of Colorado

October 19-21 | Pueblo, CO | More info here. Our conference aims to provide the knowledge, tools, and connections that are vital to foster a growing Colorado economy.

2022 State Demography Office Annual Summit

November 4 | Virtual | No cost. The 2022 State Demography Summit will be held virtually on Friday, November 4, 2022. Registration for this year's summit will be free of charge.