DENVER ~ In a recent announcement, the Rural Opportunity Office within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) revealed the recipients of the Rural Ready seed grants. These grants, totaling $2,500 each, have been awarded to ten recipients across rural Colorado to support local economic development initiatives.

Governor Jared Polis expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating that "Rural communities are the heartbeat of Colorado, and our Rural Ready Seed Grants are an investment in Colorado's future." He emphasized the importance of providing resources directly to local leaders and organizations in order to ensure that every corner of the state has the opportunity to thrive.

Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of OEDIT, also spoke about the significance of the Rural Ready program in supporting long-term resilience in rural areas. She explained that by providing these seed grants and access to specialized training, they are empowering local organizations to drive economic growth and vitality while preserving what makes their regions unique.

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The ten recipients of the $2,500 Rural Ready seed grants include City of La Junta Creative Main Street (Otero County), Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation (Clear Creek County), Main Street Steamboat Springs (Routt County), One Delta County (Delta County), Rangely Area Chamber of Commerce (Rio Blanco County), San Juan Development Association (San Juan County), San Luis Valley Development Resource Group (Alamosa County), Sedgwick County Economic Development Corporation (Sedgwick County), Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development, Inc. (Prowers County), and Town of Simla (Elbert County).

In order to qualify for funding, each organization participated in the Rural Ready curriculum - a new online learning platform that provides a high-level overview of economic development best practices tailored specifically for rural areas. The funding will go towards supporting economic development initiatives identified by participants as a result of their participation in the program.

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Meridith Marshall, Director of the Rural Opportunity Office, highlighted the importance of the Rural Ready curriculum in ensuring that local leaders and economic developers across the state are on the same page and have a shared understanding of best practices. She emphasized that this alignment is crucial in achieving the best possible outcomes for rural communities as they work towards long-term resilience.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all individuals to thrive in Colorado's economy. Through collaboration with economic development partners across the state, OEDIT provides funding and financial programs, training, consulting, and informational resources to support businesses of all sizes and industries. Their goal is to promote economic growth and job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding businesses in Colorado while also making the state accessible to everyone.

Overall, the Rural Ready seed grants are a significant investment in Colorado's rural communities and their future economic success. By providing resources and training to local organizations, these grants aim to support long-term resilience and growth while preserving the unique characteristics of each region.

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