Funding & Technical Assistance


Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program
More info here. Are you a theatrical producer, talent representative, venue promoter or do you operate a live venue, live performing arts organization, movie house or cultural institution and have been impacted by COVID-19? Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program. Offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Many lenders will have their own application which will include the updated questions required by the SBA. Be ready and prepared to submit your application by utilizing the forms below to take to an eligible lender. Northwest Colorado SBDC Consultants are here and ready to help you with your application. PPP 1st Draw Borrower Application / PPP 2nd Draw Borrower Application.

Eagle County Bridge Grant Program
Must be an Eagle County-based business that started operations on or before March 10, 2020 to be eligible. Complete grant guidelines including full list of eligibility requirements here. The Eagle County Bridge Grant program’s goals are to provide economic relief to locally-owned small businesses that are operating at a reduced capacity due to public health orders, with the goal of keeping businesses operating while waiting for orders to lift; Keep our downtowns and main streets active and energized by assisting small brick and mortar businesses that may be on the brink of closing.

Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade is accepting applications for the second grant cycle of the Advanced Industries Accelerator grant programs for fiscal year 2021. Online applications are being accepted at Advanced Industries Programs for Proof of Concept grants and Early-Stage Capital and Retention grants. Colorado's advanced industries are: aerospace, advanced manufacturing, bioscience, electronics, energy, natural resources, and cleantech, infrastructure engineering, technology and information. Learn more and apply here.

Employee Ownership Trial Grant
Grant funding is now available through OEDIT's Employee Ownership Office on a first-come, first-served basis to Colorado-headquartered small businesses. The grant can be used to reimburse professional technical services required for employee ownership business structure transitions (accounting, legal, and business valuation services). Learn more and apply here

Scholarships Available for minority-owned business entrepreneurs for Global Trade Activator Program
Are you a minority, veteran, and women-owned business owner interested in expanding into global markets through the World Trade Center's Global Trade Activator program? The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and The Minority Business Office is working with the World Trade Center Denver to providing scholarships to 10 qualifying participants. Minority participants can apply from January 4th - January 18th here.  

History Colorado Micro-Grant
Deadline: rolling. More info here. The Micro grant supports grass-root preservation efforts. This may encompass any project type which could be applied for as a competitive grant but offers more flexible application timing for smaller-scale projects.

History Colorado Planning Grant
Deadline: rolling. More info here. The Planning grant can include any planning documents which will help the project move forward, giving projects more flexibility to prepare for future physical work.

Great Outdoors Colorado Resilient Communities Program
Deadline: Feb. 2, 2021. More info here. In response to the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, GOCO is launching a one-time, $15 million Resilient Communities Program to advance outdoor recreation, stewardship, and land protection projects. Through the Resilient Communities Program, GOCO will fund one-time, immediate needs or opportunities that have emerged in direct response to the pandemic.

Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund
Modified from years past, the coming application cycles for the EIAF Program will be as follows:
Cycle 21-05: $4 million available for Tier 1 requests only, opens 2/1/21 and closes 3/1/21
Cycle 21-12: anticipated $10-15 million, opens 8/2/21 and closes 9/3/21
Cycle 22-07: anticipated $10-15 million, opens 2/1/22 and closes 3/4/22
Visit the DOLA EIAF page for more information and application forms.

Support for Public Lands Experiencing Increased Use due to COVID
Deadlines: Feb.1, April 1, June 1. The Restoration and Resilience COVID Recovery Fund, an initiative of the National Environmental Education Foundation, is providing grants to support public lands, including parks, nature areas, and other green spaces, that have been impacted by increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus is on supporting agencies and organizations responsible for maintaining public lands by distributing resources and mobilizing volunteers to help keep up with increased human presence in these delicate ecosystems. Nonprofit organizations and local governments, and educational institutions are eligible to apply.

Training Opportunities & Events

Workplace Safety in the COVID Era
January 19 | Register Here. Offered by the Colorado Workforce Center. Join the Northwest Colorado Workforce Area and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for a free event where you'll learn the best practices in people management during a pandemic. You'll learn: how o keep your employees and customers safe; what to do if an employee tests positive; how to manage staff during isolation orders, virus testing, and vaccinations.

CML Legislative Workshop
February 11 | Virtual | Register Here
This popular and timely workshop is being held virtually this year. It is your opportunity to discuss the key municipal issues before the General Assembly, CML's legislative program, and what you can do to influence the legislative process.

January 19 | More info and register here. Are you new to proposal writing or do you find yourself writing proposals without success? This free webinar will give you a comprehensive introduction to proposal writing, outline what should be included in each proposal component, and help you steer clear of the most common pitfalls. This fast-paced online event will provide an overview of the building blocks necessary for a strong grant proposal.

Downtown Colorado, Inc. Webinar: Creating a Buzz for Business
January 19 | Register Here
Join Downtown Colorado, Inc. and our SLV Partners as we welcome Creative Strategist Brian Corrigan who will dive into social entrepreneurship and the creative ways that businesses engage, collaborate, and create experiences that go beyond products and services. 

Promoting Colorado with Care
January 20 | Register Here. This presentation will include the Colorado Tourism Office’s fall campaign and their dual focus for winter: using campaign resources 1) to drive recovery in the most afflicted parts of our state and 2) to share important safety messages (winter backcountry safety and anti-super spreader). The safety messages aim to reduce the impact on Colorado search and rescue operations and rural public health resources.

Census Webinar
February 2|Offered by Colorado Municipal League| Register here. .S. Census Bureau will present information regarding the 2020 Census. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/3bw0M4e

Bridges Out of Poverty On-Line Workshop
March 9 | 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Offered by the Colorado Community Action Association | FREE Register here. This workshop is a great introduction to the Bridges philosophy and approach to community engagement around issues of poverty, and is a must attend for all Colorado stakeholders working at the community level and/or those working with families with low-income.

How to Start a Business Webinar
January 21, 2021 | Register Here
Offered by the SBDC. Learn what is required by state and local officials to get started and the ins and outs of running a successful business. This 2-hour webinar provides an overview of everything you need to know to start and grow your business including how running a business is different than being an employee; things to consider as a business owner; trade name search; legal structure selection; state registration; local licensing requirements; the business planning process; and financing options.

SDBC Webinars on Demand

Resources

Pivoting to a New Economy: Recovery Hub for Small Businesses
2020 has been a year like no other for small businesses across America. The Small Business Administration has recovery resources that can help you Rebuild your small business; Keep employees safe and healthy; Revitalize your community. Learn more here. 
Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
Economic Development District | www.nwccog.org/edd