PRESS RELEASE
RBC | NWCDC Annual Meeting Showcases Important Economic Development Initiatives
(Craig, Colorado) Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) will host its first Annual
Meeting on September 3, 2024, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Pavilion Building in the Moffat
County Fairgrounds, 750 E. 4th Street, Craig. The public is invited to attend the NWCDC Annual
Meeting. Tickets are available through Eventbrite at no cost.
The NWCDC Annual Meeting will feature state, regional, and local speakers presenting
information on economic development resources, initiatives, and projects that will diversify the
regional economy, support small businesses and entrepreneurs, and transition the region from
coal. The keynote speaker is Executive Director Eve Lieberman of the Colorado Office of
Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).
“The State of Colorado is committed to supporting northwest Colorado communities as they
work to strengthen their economy. Incredible local initiatives are underway to support
businesses and create new jobs, and I look forward to learning more so we can continue to
support this important work,” said Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Office of Economic
Development and International Trade.
Since October 2023, OEDIT and the Office of Just Transition have dedicated over $2.5 million in
funding to support local economic development initiatives in Northwest Colorado. This year, the
Legislature also passed SB24-190 to promote a variety of economic development activities in
coal transition communities, including freight use of the rail line between Denver and Craig,
setting the stage for passenger rail from the Front Range to Northwest Colorado, increasing
Enterprise Zone benefits in these communities, and increasing staff support for coal transition
communities within OEDIT’s Rural Opportunity Office.
“We are honored to have Executive Director Eve Lieberman participate in NWCDC’s Annual
Meeting, hear our stories, and understand our priorities and values,” said Tim Redmond,
NWCDC Chairman and Routt County Commissioner. “For the past three years, NWCDC and its
three counties and seven communities have been collaborating and working on economic
development projects that will create new jobs and develop new industry and business sectors.
I’m very proud of the progress we’ve made in such a short period of time.”
The NWCDC serves the counties of Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt, and their seven
communities, which face the impending closure of two coal-fired power plants and four coal
mines. NWCDC communities underwent DOLA Roadmaps Transition planning and adopted a
regional strategic plan to diversify the regional economy. The Roadmap identifies industry
sectors to foster: renewable energy, value-added agriculture, manufacturing, health care,
outdoor recreational and cultural heritage tourism, business services and technology, small
business development, and entrepreneurship.
The NWCDC Annual Meeting is part of Executive Director Lieberman’s Northwest Colorado
Roadshow. She is visiting the region September 3-4 in a listening tour to see and hear what the
communities are working on, and how OEDIT can support those efforts.
Other NWCDC Community Meetings include:
September 3, 2024
When: 9 am -10 am
Where: Meeker Town Hall, Conference Room
What: Economic Development 101 Workshop
Why: Aimed at elected officials, economic development (ED) professionals, and ED volunteers
to learn how to support economic development and business growth
When: 11:30 am -12:30 pm
Where: Weiss Conference Room, Colorado Northwestern Community College, Rangely
Campus, 500 Kennedy Drive, Rangely
What: Economic Development 101 Workshop
Why: Aimed at elected officials, economic development (ED) professionals, and ED volunteers
to learn how to support economic development and business growth
When: 12:30 pm -1:30 pm
Where: Weiss Conference Room, Colorado Northwestern Community College, Rangely
Campus, 500 Kennedy Drive, Rangely
What: Rangely Business Luncheon
Why: Update the community on new local and regional economic development programs
When: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Where: The Pavilion Building, Moffat County Fairgrounds, 750 E. 4th Street, Craig
What: Economic Development 101 Workshop
Why: Aimed at elected officials, economic development (ED) professionals, and ED volunteers
to learn how to support economic development and business growth
September 4, 2024
When: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Where: Hayden Center, Conference Room, 495 W. Jefferson Ave., Hayden
What: Hayden Economic Development Update Meeting
Why: Update the community on new local and regional economic development programs
September 5, 2024
When: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Yampa Town Hall, Conference Room, 101 Main Street, Yampa
What: Yampa Economic Development Update Meeting
Why: Update the community on new local and regional economic development programs
About NWCDC
Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) is an intergovernmental agreement
between Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties and their member communities, Craig, Hayden,
Meeker, Oak Creek, Rangely, Steamboat Springs, and Yampa. These communities work
collaboratively to diversify the regional economy and to support workforce development,
affordable housing, access to child care, and regional transportation. Learn more, visit our
regional website NorthwestColorado.org
