Community Builders is teaming up with the Colorado Department of Transportation, Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Department of Local Affairs to offer FREE and INTERACTIVE workshops to downtowns seeking to strike a balance among these varying demands.

Attendance is free, but a limited number of workshops are available. Communities must apply to be a host and receive additional support from the training team. Applications are due March 1, 2019 and workshops will be held in April and May. Host communities are eligible to receive (1) a free technical assistance session to problem solve a key issue in their community (to follow the workshop), and (2) funds to help cover the cost of hosting. Click for more information & to apply now!

The CommunityWINS (Working/Investing in Neighborhood Stabilization) Grant Program, administered by the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and funded by Wells Fargo, supports local nonprofits in promoting long-term economic prosperity and quality of life for their community. Recognizing Neighborhood Stabilization, Economic Development, and Job Creation. All programs must be initiated with the full support of the mayor to be eligible, including those developed and implemented in collaboration with the private sector, community groups, and other partners. The application deadline is March 22, 2019. Visit the USCM website to learn more about the program.

Colorado companies interested in exporting industrial technologies such as energy efficiency, lightweight construction, and additive manufacturing technologies are encouraged to apply for the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) for the opportunity to attend the Hannover Messe Trade Show, April 1 – 5, 2019. The Global Business Development division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) will sponsor a Colorado booth at Hannover Messe that will showcase up to eight companies to promote Colorado’s advanced manufacturing and energy industries. OEDIT’s support will allow companies to connect with foreign buyers and increase their presence in the European market, resulting in export sales and job creation and retention in Colorado. Awarded companies will receive a travel stipend of up to $3,500 and exhibit space in the Colorado booth.  The application is available online here. Applications are due February 25, 2019. This is a competitive grant process with limited opportunities for funding.

Community  Assistance offered by Community Builders

Every year, Community Builders offers a limited number of assistance opportunities to communities in Colorado. This is an opportunity for local leaders to acquire necessary tools and information to build prosperous, livable communities.  Assistance projects address a range of community and economic development issues intended to help build local livability. These include transportation and mobility, housing choices, land use and redevelopment, and local economic development.  Applicants are encouraged to contact Jillian Sutherland to discuss the proposed project and application process prior to submitting.

Deadline: March 19, 2019. Full details here. The purpose of the Environmental Initiative Program component is to support the initiation or implementation of projects that enhance the ecological integrity of publicly owned open spaces, while encouraging compatible human activities. The ultimate goal of this component is to promote public use of open space that improves a community’s quality of life and public health, while also ensuring the protection of healthy, viable, and sustainable ecosystems by protecting or restoring habitat for a diversity of plant and animal species. Funding will be provided for either planning projects or implementation projects.