RBC | Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC) is continuing its public engagement phase in the updating of its Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Interested Rio Blanco County stakeholders may participate in the meeting to be held virtually on Thursday, June 24, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. This meeting will review goals, strategies, along with strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they relate to Rio Blanco County. All those involved or interested in reviewing CEDS components for the county are encouraged to attend and provide input to this portion of the plan.
The AGNC – Economic Development District (EDD) designation was awarded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in October of 2019. The EDA states that, “The CEDS contributes to effective economic development in America’s communities and regions through a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process. Planning, as implemented through the CEDS, successfully serves as a means to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establishes a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. The CEDS provides the capacity-building foundation by which the public sector, working in conjunction with other economic actors (individuals, firm, industries), create the environment for regional economic prosperity.”
The AGNC EDD, includes the counties of Mesa, Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt, and all municipalities within those counties, making them eligible to pursue opportunities that could aid in the economic diversification and resiliency of the region. This second county meeting will take place on Thursday, June 24, 2021. The other county meetings will take place as follows: Moffat County, Friday, June 25, 2021; Mesa County, Friday, July 9, 2021; Routt County, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Garfield County’s meeting took place on Friday, June 18, 2021. All meetings will be virtual and will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The final regional meeting and the beginning of the 30-day comment period will take place on Thursday, July 29.
HOPEWEST PRESS RELEASE | Special to the Herald Times