NWCCOG Economic Development District
Resources Bulletin
May 17, 2022
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Funding & Technical Assistance
Resource Guide to help Rural Communities Boost Economic Development
Greater Colorado Pitch Series
Applications close: June 10 | More info here. The Greater Colorado Pitch Series is ready to fund businesses of all shapes and sizes. The series awards investments that range from $50,000 to $1 million to eight rural Colorado companies. Winners will be announced July 12 during a hybrid virtual and in-person event as part of West Slope Startup Week. The series started in 2020 with the Greater Colorado Venture Fund as the sole funder, and has added three additional capital partners to facilitate over $7 million in investments to date.
Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) Workforce Development Grant
Applications reviewed month | More info here. COSWAP is a wildfire mitigation funding program designed to protect life, property, and infrastructure and this release of funding is specifically targeted to support workforce development throughout the state. COSWAP funds can support projects on all land ownership types in Colorado. The Workforce Development Grant has four funding opportunities associated with it. Please visit the COSWAP website for more information on Strategic Focus Areas and eligibility.
Business Foundations Technical Assistance Program: Legally Establish Your Business
The Business Foundations Technical Assistance Program provides technical assistance and small grants to Colorado small businesses to help businesses legally establish themselves. The program provides 3 training sessions and a small reimbursable grant of up to $1,200 per business to help apply the training.
The program is open for registration with new and improved modules. Register now for the technical assistance program and complete the grant application.
Deadline: June 7 | More info here. The Reimagine Destinations Program is a part of the Colorado Recovery Assistance For Tourism program that includes a series of recovery programs that support Colorado tourism destinations and Colorado tourism industry associations to advance collaborative projects that foster the long-term resilience of the statewide industry. This program is funded by a $2.4 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Deadline: June 24. OEDIT's Colorado Tourism Office is excited to announce that the application period is now open for the Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey Class of 2023! The Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey was developed in 2017 as a statewide leadership program designed to activate the full potential of Colorado’s tourism industry through its people. Now is your opportunity to apply to be a part of the next Leadership Class.
Early Childhood Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs) Funding Opportunity
Deadline: June 20 | More info here. Department of Early Childhood has opened applications for Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs). LCOs will coordinate the early childhood system in their community, including the mixed delivery system of Universal Preschool. The transition team will be offering virtual office hours to answer applicant questions Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. To download the application and catchment area map, click here.
Colorado Creates Grant: The Colorado Creates Grant helps organizations and communities create art and cultural activities through general operating support funding. Funds are distributed throughout Colorado with a focus on rural communities. Grant awards are flat amounts based on your organization’s cash operating revenue for your most recently completed fiscal year. All successful applicants in the same revenue range will receive the same amount of grant funds. Applications close June 2, 2022.
US Department of Energy RACER Fund
Deadline: July 25. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) announced the Renewables Advancing Community Energy Resilience (RACER) funding opportunity, which will award $25 million in funding for projects to enable communities to utilize solar and solar-plus-storage to prevent disruptions in power caused by extreme weather and other events, and to rapidly restore electricity if it goes down. Projects will foster engagement and ongoing communication among multiple stakeholders such as utilities, municipal planners, emergency responders, community groups, and others, especially in underserved communities located in areas vulnerable to extreme events causing frequent energy and power service disruptions.
Meeting and Events Incentive Cash Rebate: This program provides a 10% cash rebate against eligible hard costs for hosting meetings and events in Colorado. Governor Polis recently signed a bill extending this program’s deadline for eligible events from Dec. 31, 2022, to June 30, 2024.
Space to Create Colorado: Space to Create Colorado assists communities with the development of affordable live-work and commercial spaces. Non-residential spaces are available for creative enterprises and organizations that serve critical community needs. The program is the nation’s first state-led initiative for affordable housing for creative sector workers in rural areas. Learn more.
Yampa Valley Community Foundation Grants
Deadline: June 19 | More info here. Eligible organizations serve the Yampa Valley, Routt and Moffat Counties. The 2022 grant cycle will focus on unrestricted grants. Unrestricted funding provides grantees the flexibility to assess and determine where grant dollars are most needed, and allows for innovation, emergent action, and building sustainability.
Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant (EIAF)
Deadline for next round: September 1 | More info here. Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs. The purpose of the EIAF Program is to assist political subdivisions that are socially and/or economically impacted by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels. Funds come from the state severance tax on energy and mineral production and from a portion of the state's share of royalties paid to the federal government for mining and drilling of minerals and mineral fuels on federally-owned land.
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Training Opportunities & Events
Summit Biz Bootcamp Program: 9-Week Business Development & Growth Program
Offered by the Summit Chamber, the Summit Biz Bootcamp is designed to help local business owners and entrepreneurs who are feeling stuck and need help and support. It’s a 9-session program utilizing curriculum from CO.Starters, that provides tools, mentoring, support, and a framework to get organized and focus on growing your business. For questions, please reach out to amy.m.kemp@gmail.com
Colorado Sun Legislative Recap
Get a front-row seat to hear from Gov. Jared Polis, State Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, State Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, State Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver and State Sen. Paul Lundeen, R-Monument as they discuss the successes, challenges, what that means for 2022 and everything in between. Moderator is Colorado Sun Politics Reporter and Editor Jesse Paul.
Colorado Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit
Offered by Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. As we strive to grow and sustain a flourishing outdoor recreation-based economy in Colorado, we are gathering leaders and partners from across the industry to establish and execute our vision for the future. We invite CEOs, government officials, executive directors, entrepreneurs, students, and leaders that represent the full spectrum of the outdoor economy in Colorado to attend this event.
HR Checkup for Small Businesses
Thursday, May 26 | 11am - 12pm | No Cost - Register here. Offered by the SBDC. This webinar is designed for businesses without an HR representative. Join Reagan Freed, Human Resources executive and SBDC consultant, for practical advice on how to manage employees and apply the latest employment law updates.
Brownfields Revitalization Workshop
Access recording/slide deck here. Provided by CRO, this session provides information on what brownfields are; hear successful Colorado case studies of remediating abandoned, contaminated properties; and how to access statewide brownfields resources including free support and guidance in planning assistance, capacity building, education, and financial help to spur revitalization.
Placemaking in Small & Rural Communities Online Conference
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of Kentucky are inviting rural leaders across the country to attend the Placemaking for Small and Rural Communities Online Conference. The conference will showcase effective placemaking strategies for rural areas and connect attendees with experts and funders. USDA and the University of Kentucky also unveil a new interactive digital toolkit to connect rural leaders with technical assistance providers, funders, and guides on how to implement placemaking in their own communities.
Colorado Municipal League Annual Conference
June 21-24 in Breckenridge | REGISTER HERE. CML's 100th Annual Conference is sure to be one to remember. With over 40 sessions, two keynotes, and a 100th Conference celebrations on Wednesday, you won't want to miss it. See you there!
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Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
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