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NWCCOG Resource Bulletin

RESOURCES BULLETIN

August 

2018
archived bulletins can be found here.
Mountain Careers: 
A Resource for Career Jobs in the Mountains
Mountain Careers is on on-line portal linking job seekers to career-level jobs in the mountains.  There has recently been a flurry of government jobs posted, those which pay well and offer great benefits, including: Town Manager – Town of Avon; Senior Planner, Pitkin County; Economic Development Coordinator, Town of Vail; Early Childhood Systems Coordinator – Eagle County…to name a few. Check them out here!
Economic Resiliency
Colorado is in the midst of a series of major transformations.  Ask anyone who has lived here long enough to describe how the population has changed in recent years, and they will give a response ranging from traffic congestion, housing prices, and trail conditions, to a rise in new technology jobs moving to the state. Although they may not be able to rattle off statistics such as how Colorado is expected to add 2.7 million new residents by 2040 (a 54 percent increase from the 2010 population), they sure feel this growth and its impacts on housing, transportation, and recreation. This growth is coming, and cities and towns statewide will need to find ways to successfully adapt to and sustainable manage this change to maximize on its benefits. Learn more about economic resiliency in the latest Knowledge Now White Paper from the Colorado Municipal League.
Workforce Dashboard
The counties in the NWCCOG EDD region are in 2 different workforce regions: Rural Resort and Northwest. Therefore, we will provide information in both regions.
Rural Resort Workforce Region:  Eagle, Pitkin, Summit, Lake, Garfield
Northwest Workforce Region: Grand, Jackson, Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco
DASHBOARD:
The most recent data available is presented (Jobs & Wages: Q4 2017; Labor Force & UE Rate: June 2018).
 
Jobs
Annual Avg Wage
Labor Force
Unemployment Rate
Eagle 31,775 $47,736 35,112 2.6%
Garfield 25,767 $50,284 32,598 2.8%
Lake 7,390 $36,296 4,838 2.5%
Pitkin 15,658 $55,432 11,331 3.2%
Summit 21,454 $41,340 21,192 2.4%
Grand 7,390 $36,296 10,251 2.4%
Jackson 580 $38,428 1,115 2.0%
Moffat 4,764 $49,608 7,683 2.8%
Rio Blanco 2,811 $51,168 3,039 3.7%
Routt 15,009 $43,992 15,844 2.5%
Colorado 2.6M $58,916 3.0 M 2.8%
Source: LMI Gateway, Colorado Department of Labor & Employment
Funding & Technical Assistance
 
Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Programs
The Advanced Industries Accelerator Programs were created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries by helping drive innovation, accelerating commercialization, encouraging public-private partnerships, increasing access to early stage capital and creating a strong ecosystem that increases the state’s global competitiveness.
Colorado’s advanced industries are: Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Bioscience, Electronics, Energy and Natural Resources, Infrastructure Engineering, and Technology and Information.  There are 3 types (More information on all 3 here):
  •  Proof of Concept grants (deadline: 9/7/18) are open to Colorado research universities, federal labs located in Colorado, and other labs with valid technology transfer offices. These grants are for pre-commercialization research and commercialization preparation. Grants up to $150,000 will be awarded. More information and apply here.
  • Early Stage Capital and Retention grants (deadline: 9/7/18) fund companies commercializing innovative technologies to create viable products that meet a market need and can be created or manufactured in Colorado and exported globally. Grants up to $250,000 will be awarded. More information and apply here.
  • Export Accelerator Program (deadline: rolling) is a financial assistance program for aspiring and current Colorado exporters. The grant program supports eligible small and medium-sized business through funds to offset international business development and marketing costs. Grants up to $15,000 will be awarded. Applications can be submitted 4-6 weeks in advance of an International Trip.
Recycling Rebates Available through CDPHE Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Fund
The intent of this rebate program is to assist free public recycling drop-off sites by offsetting a portion of the transportation costs incurred by shipping recyclables to market or to a processing center. More information about the rebate program, as well as the rebate application, can be found on the CDPHE website at bit.ly/1axhgWn. Applications are due Aug. 31. Questions or comments should be directed via email at cdphe.ppp2@state.co.us or 303-691-4955.
Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement Grant Program
Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The grants provide financial assistance through reimbursements to local law enforcement and district attorneys for actual expenses related to investigation and prosecution of unlicensed marijuana cultivation or distribution operations. The grant program has four funding priorities: rural areas, large-scale operations, organized crime operations, and operations that divert marijuana outside of Colorado. Applications are due Aug. 31. More information here. 
Municipal Court Grant Program
The Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs (DOLA) has implemented the Municipal Court First Appearance Grant Program created with the enactment of CML-initiated legislation HB 18-1353. The funding is intended to pay for the mandate on municipal courts passed in 2016, which requires defense counsel at first appearance. The NOFA will open on Sept. 1, and applications will be accepted through Oct. 1. For complete information on how to apply for the grant, visit bit.ly/2OjtyWM. For more information, contact CML Legislative & Policy Advocate Meghan Dollar at mdollar@cml.org.


Walmart Foundation

The Walmart Foundation’s Community Grant Program is offering grants to nonprofit organizations and agencies that work in one of the following areas: hunger relief and healthy eating, health and human service, quality of life, education, community and economic development, diversity and inclusion, public safety, or environmental sustainability. Awards range from $250 to $5,000.Deadline: December 31, 2018.More info here.
2018 HEAL Cities & Towns Campaign

Small Grants Program that will provide a total of up to $20,000 to HEAL cities and towns to implement policies that increase opportunities for healthy eating and/or active living in the community and/or government workplace. Review the grant RFP at bit.ly/2MddxEA. The HEAL Cities & Towns Campaign is a 

partnership between LiveWell Colorado and CML, and provides free training and technical assistance to help municipal leaders adopt policies in three primary areas: active community, healthy food access, and
healthy workplace. For more information on joining the campaign, visit bit.ly/2MaIJEB
The Home Depot Foundation provides funding for nonprofit organizations and public agencies in the United States that are using the power of volunteers to improve communities through its Community Impact Grants program. Priority is given to projects that benefit veterans and/or diverse and underserved communities. Projects should be volunteer-friendly, engage people at all skill levels, and be expected to have a strong and lasting impact. Awards of up to $5,000 will be given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. Deadline:December 31, 2018. More info here.
Yampa Valley SCORE Business Plan Competition 2018
Hosted by Colorado Mountain College; Sponsored by Startup Colorado
Bring your great idea to the marketplace!  Submit your business play by October 1, 2018.    Cash prizes for the top two plans: $6,000.00 1st place and $4,000.00 second place. Business plans and presentations are judged by Yampa Valley SCORE business counselors. More information here. 
FREE educational event offered by the State Purchasing and Contracts Office
Monday, August 27th 
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Frisco Day Lodge – REGISTER HERE
The State Purchasing and Contracts Office (SPCO) staff will be on hand, including Procurement Administrators, the Commercial Card Program Manager and the Supplier Diversity Liaison. The SPCO team will be providing guidance on how to use Colorado State Price Agreements and NASPO ValuePoint Participating Addenda as well as best practices for cooperative purchasing. This is a more advanced and in-depth training than what has been offered in the past, so even if you’ve attended before, you should join us again!  For more information, contact Barbara Musick  with the State Purchasing and Contract Office, 303.866.3640.

What role will Medicare play during your retirement?
Wednesday, August 29 2018 at 5:30pm – 7:30pm – FREE – More info here. 
Summit County Community and Senior Center 83 Nancy’s Place, Frisco CO 80443
Brought to you by Edward Jones. Join us for our presentation Health Care and Your Retirement. We’ll discuss: Medicare coverage and traditional medical expenses; Long-term medical care expenses; Strategies for addressing uncovered expenses. We hope you and a guest will join us. Please call Jodie or Bridget at 970-668-3811 or email bridget.hattingh@edwardjones.com by 08/24/2018.

Urban Renewal Board Training

August 24th in Lakewood, 8 am – 12 pm.  more info and register here.
Offered by Downtown Colorado, Inc. Building an informed and aware board of directors for your URA creates a stronger network of urban renewal advocates across the state. This is especially important as many of our URAs are adapting to comply with recent legislation and to expand partner networks for urban renewal.
Census 2020 Webinar
Monday, Sept. 10, Noon-1 p.m. Register here.
Presented by Elizabeth Garner, Colorado state demographer, and Lily Romero Griego, U.S. Census Bureau outreach specialist. Census 2020 is only 20 months away. Federal, state, and local agencies are working to ensure that geographies, housing units, and precincts have been updated so that everyone is counted. The Colorado State Demography Office and Regional Census Office will jointly deliver this webinar covering the basics of Census 2020 (why, when, how, and what), timing of census preparation programs, outreach efforts, and how and when can we expect the results. Time will be allotted for questions and answers
Community Building Colorado-Style Conference
Oct. 19 in Boulder
The event is sponsored by the Colorado Congress for New Urbanism; University of Colorado Boulder’s Community Engagement, Design, and Research Center; and Downtown Colorado Inc. The event will focus on sustainability, innovation, creative industries, housing, green infrastructure, and more. Registration is $30; learn more and register at www.colorado.edu/cedar/2018- community-building-colorado-style-conference.
October 11 in Aspen
Certified Public Manager Program – New Courses Are Available Every Other Month!
Once again in July the University of Colorado Denver will hold another course for the Certified Public Manager Program in Vail which will continue until January of 2019. Take one or more courses since each course stands on its own. The Colorado Certified Public Manager® program is a leadership and professional development program through the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs.
July 2018 – Strategic Planning and Management (Vail)
September 2018 – Public Engagement and Communications (Glenwood Springs)
November 2018 – Managing Disasters (Vail)
January 2019 – Fostering Innovation (Glenwood Springs)
For additional information or to register.
Demystifying Entrepreneurship – September 12th & 13th
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to entrepreneurship and is geared toward anyone launching their own business or improving their existing small business.
Startup to ScaleUp – September 12th & 14th
This course focuses on 2nd stage small businesses and organizations, specifically those looking or needing to shift out of their startup phase and into “what’s next”. Participants will leave with an understanding of how to build and grow their concepts.  The program takes learned outcomes from the University of Colorado’s Demystifying Entrepreneurship course (recommended prerequisite) and shifts from developing a successful startup toward organizational growth and advancement.

Leadership Foundations – Starts September 12th!
Leadership Foundations is a set of universal leadership principles and leading practices organized around character development, skillful actions and relationship building. A significant premise is that leadership engages us in others people’s lives, and before inserting ourselves, all of us should know how to lead our own lives first. The course starts in September and continues until March, 2019 meeting once a month. There are special scholarship opportunities for members of the Eagle County Chamber of Commerce. Join us and learn how as business owners and government leaders you can apply these principles to align business strategies and engage customers!
Colorado Cities & Towns Week (Sept. 10-16)
Colorado Cities & Towns Week can be an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the shared services and partnerships you have to better serve residents. To further promote the successful cooperation of local governments and nonprofits to citizens, highlight the partnership in your municipal newsletter, social media, website, etc. You could even co-host an event! The Colorado Municipal League (CML) will issue tips on how you can celebrate Colorado Cities & Towns Week in each issue of the CML Newsletter. These tips also are compiled on the CML website (www.cml.org/cities-and-towns) for reference, along with other resources as they are developed. For more information or questions, contact CML Membership Services Manager Lisa White at lwhite@cml.org, 303-831-6411, or 866-578-0936.
3rd Annual Northwestern Colorado Women’s Small Business Conference
Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel – Greeley, CO – more info and register here
Join the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network and breakthrough to excellence with a day of educational seminars, one-on-one consulting, valuable networking opportunities, and exciting keynote speakers!

 

Economic Development Council of Colorado – Drive|Lead|Succeed Conference
October 24 – 26, 2018 at the Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park, CO
EDCC’s Annual Drive | Lead | Succeed Conferences aim to provide the knowledge, tools, and connections that are vital to foster a growing Colorado economy.
Gather the industry’s top influencers and thought leaders together to share knowledge and answer questions that no one else can; Offer new and vital tools and solutions to pressing economic issues facing Colorado’s professional economic development community; Facilitate quality collaboration and opportunity to exchange fresh, new ideas among Colorado’s leading Economic Development professionals, business and non-profit leaders, government officials and more. This growing three-day conference, is the premier statewide event, that gathers over 200 statewide economic development stakeholders and explores the latest developments, trends, and the future of Colorado’s economic climate.
2018 Seminar on Municipal Law offered by the Colorado Municipal League
Oct. 5-6 at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs. More info and register here.
CML strives to provide an affordable, diverse program that responds directly to the interests and needs of municipal attorneys.
Access to Capital
Colorado Capital Conference
Nov. 13 – 14, 2018 in Denver/ Westminster – more info and register here.
Offered by the Rockies Venture Club.
You’ll also have the opportunity to see pitches from 8 great companies seeking venture capital investment from RVC and its syndicate network. There will also be ample networking time, breakfast, lunch and a whole lot of fun. More Information www.coloradocapitalconference.org
Would a loan help your business?
The Northwest Loan Fund (NLF) can guide you to the right combination of funding. Contact Anita Cameron, Director of Business Lending, if you: want to expand, acquire, or start a business; are looking for favorable rates; just have questions. We are particularly interested new or growing businesses. Generally loan amounts are between $5,000 and $500,000. Rates and fees are very favorable. Contact Anita Cameron, 970-455-1059 for more information.