RANGELY - On August 21, 2024, Governor Polis and the Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) announced two Coal Transition Community grants to fund projects that will diversify local economies in western Colorado, including the Town of Rangely and the communities of Natarita and Nucla in the West End of Montrose County and Norwood in San Miguel County. These grants will support economic and business development activities to create and retain rural jobs.

“I am focused on saving people money and supporting local job creation and business growth. This funding will help them create dozens of new jobs in western Colorado and retain many more,” said Governor Polis.

A $500,000 grant awarded to the Town of Rangely will support the Retain, Attract, Rebuild, Expand (RARE) business support program for three years. A $210,680 grant to the West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC) will support grant writing and increase capacity to focus on programs to the communities of Nucla, Naturita, and Norwood in Montrose and San Miguel counties.

“When small businesses succeed, communities can thrive. We are pleased to support local initiatives to retain and attract new businesses while diversifying rural economies,” said OEDIT Executive Director, Eve Lieberman.

In the Town of Rangely, the RARE program will provide business, financial and marketing training for local entrepreneurs and existing businesses in partnership with the Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) and the Northwest Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The program will also offer an annual small business grant program, with grants of up to $40,000 available per awarded business, and an annual pitch competition, both for the next three years.

The Town of Rangely anticipates that the RARE program will create a minimum of 15 full time jobs, with at least five of those jobs meeting or exceeding the average annual wage for Rio Blanco County.

“The Town of Rangely via the Rangely Development Association is very proud to be a recipient of a grant to assist with an innovative business support program for local businesses and entrepreneurs which includes development of a pitch competition, also providing a grant award. This will invigorate our business community and encourage entrepreneurs who have been contemplating starting a business or expanding a current business but need assistance, as well as training, to take the next step!” said Lisa Piering, Town Manager for Rangely.

The grant awarded to the WEEDC will fund an Office and Grant Administrator to support WEEDC and the Towns of Naturita, Norwood and Nucla with grant writing and general administrative functions of WEEDC. The position is also expected to create capacity for the Town Managers and WEEDC's Executive Director to focus on programs to attract new businesses to the area, including the West End Business Retention & Expansion Program.

WEEDC anticipates at least 15 new jobs will be created and at least 50 jobs retained indirectly as a result of increased funding, programming, and general support for businesses in the West End.

“We are grateful for OEDIT's support in our transition away from coal. Lack of capacity and infrastructure continue to be our largest barriers to our transition. This capacity award from OEDIT helps our community immensely to provide more services, support economic development, and to seek out more funding opportunities for our community,” said Makayla Gordon, Executive Director of WEEDC.

The funding announced today is part of an ongoing effort by the Polis Administration, OEDIT and the Office of Just Transition (OJT) to help communities that have relied on coal mines and coal-fired power plants for employment find new sources of jobs and property tax income. In addition to the Yampa Valley and the West End of Montrose and San Miguel counties, funding is available for Pueblo County, Fort Morgan County, and Delta, El Paso, Gunnison, La Plata and Larimer counties.

About the Office of Just Transition

Colorado created the Office of Just Transition within Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment in 2019 to assist workers and communities that will be adversely affected by the loss of jobs and revenues due to the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power plants. Its purpose is to help workers transition to new, high-quality, jobs, to help communities continue to thrive by expanding and attracting diverse businesses, and to replace lost revenues. To learn more about the Office of Just Transition, its action plan and the corresponding legislation, please visit cdle.colorado.gov/offices/the-office-of-just-transition.

About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, we strive to advance the State’s economy through financial and technical assistance that fosters local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado. OEDIT offers a host of programs and services tailored to support business development at every level including business retention services, business relocation services, and business funding and incentives. Our office includes the Global Business Development division; Colorado Tourism Office; Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; Colorado Creative Industries; Business Financing & Incentives division; the Colorado Small Business Development Network; Cannabis Business Office; Colorado Office of Film, TV & Media; the Minority Business Office; Employee Ownership Office; and Rural Opportunity Office. Learn more at oedit.colorado.gov.