Hubs for development

ORGANIZATIONS SERVE BUSINESSES, SUPPORT COMMERCE

BY GARETT DICKINSON

usiness- and economy-oriented nonprofits benefit our communities in a variety of ways. This can include providing networking possibilities, financial resources and educational opportunities.

“We’re kinda like the center hub of a bicycle wheel,” said Jack Llewellyn, executive director of Durango Chamber of Commerce for the last 14 years. “The spokes go out and our job is to connect the right people to the right person or organization that can help them the best.”

Laura Marchino, executive director of Region 9 echoed this sentiment.

“I feel like we are a center point of contact because if we can’t help them, we know who to send them to.”

Region 9 supports regional prosperity in five Colorado counties in addition to the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes.

“In our region in particular, startup businesses are more common than in larger urban areas, and that is unique because nationwide, according to the Kauffman Foundation, startups are declining over time,” Marchino said.

Region 9 also refers businesses to other area nonprofits, empowering them through a collaborative effort.

The Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE) supports businesses with the potential to reach markets beyond their immediate surroundings through a variety of programs. The Southwest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is another organization that can provide consultations, classes and more.

“Durango is incredibly unique,” Llewellyn said. “We have a very active community. We have a lot of passion in our community, and that passion is contagious. If you believe in something, then I’m sure we have an organization you can join.”

A nonprofit geared toward economic sustainability and development can be a lifesaver for a business, but during the pandemic this value became even more apparent.

“We had over 1,200 inquiries asking for business resources, grants and data requests,” Marchino said.

BDuring 2020, Region 9 funded 27 regular loans and 38 disaster loans for a total of $1.75 million and $240,000, respectively. “One of the things that works very well in our community is the collaboration,” Llewellyn said. He explained how networking among organizations such as Durango’s Business Improvement District and Grand Junction’s Chamber of Commerce led to the development of the 5-Star State Certification Program. This was later adopted at the state level to help businesses safely operate during the pandemic. Maggie Goodell, director of the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce explained the formation of the Montezuma County TriChamber of Commerce, which encompasses Mancos, Dolores and Cortez. “Instead of promoting our own local businesses and chambers, we were looking at promoting the entire county,” she said. “We decided that instead of duplicating each other’s efforts we’d work together.” This streamlined the group’s ability to support businesses and keep them informed amidst the changing regulations. This work continues even as the return to normal accelerates. ”We’re still adapting to the changing atmosphere,” Goodell said. The tireless work nonprofit organizations do to support the growth and stability of our communities is invaluable. Through offering financing avenues for diverse operations, hosting educational workshops and garnering feedback from business leaders and consumers, these groups are creating a more robust and sustainable community for us all each and every day.

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Our thanks to th he First Baptist C of Cortez for the e ongoing use of facility for rehea arsals and storage space. It is muc ch appreciated.

Our thanks to th he First Baptist C hurch of Cortez for the e ongoing use of their e Fou ur Cor rners facility for rehea space. It is muc arsals and storage ch appreciated.

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Comm munity Ban nd

Fo our Corners Co ommunity Band at the Four S Seasons Greenhouse & & Nursery Chr ristmas Lumina aria

Photo by K Ken Degener

2019 A Annual Report Fo our Corners Co ommunity Band at the Four S Seasons Greenhouse & & Nursery Chr ristmas Lumina aria

Four Corners Community Band Photo by K Ken Degener

2019 A Annual Report

HOW TO SUPPORT THE BAND • MJoin us playing an instrument. • Become part of the Steering Committee. • Help informally with administrative activities.

• Make a cash donation. fourcorner 28709 Ro s a scommunityb ad P.7 Dolor and@gmail.c res, CO 8132 • M Designate the Band on your Facebook: F Four Corners C @4CCBan Community nd B City Market Rewards card. Contact us at: fourcornerscommunityband@gmail.com Follow us on facebook: @4CCBand 28709 Road P.7 • Dolores, CO 81323

om 23 Band Mission: To mu usicians to co mu usic and to pr en ntertainment f provide an op pportunity for ontinue their in nvolvement in rovide quality y, public musi for the Four C Corners area.

fourcorners scommunityband@gmail.c 28709 Roa ad P.7 Dolor res, CO 8132 r area Facebook: F Four Corners C Community Bn @4CCBan nd cal

om 23 Band Mission: To mu usicians to co mu usic and to pr en ntertainment f provide an op pportunity for ontinue their in nvolvement in rovide quality y, public musi for the Four C Corners area. r area n cal

Business Loans Enterprise Zone Data & Reports OFFICES IN CORTEZ, DURANGO & PAGOSA SPRINGS 970-247-9621 region9edd.org

Proudly serving Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma & San Juan Counties; the Southern Ute & Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes

FAMILY AND STUDENT REGISTRATION August 1, 2021

OPEN HOUSE August 25, 2021 at 6:00 pm CLASS ENROLLMENT OPENS August 31, 2021

We just bought property at 743 CR 510, Durango, CO 81303. We are getting a USDA Loan to build a new building and will be in construction over the next year, with a grand opening date of Aug. 1, 2022. Our capital campaign money raised will be applied to reduce the 100% USDA construction loan and add furniture and equipment to our new facility! Charitable Event and Fundraiser for our Capital Campaign

Online Fundraiser July 25-Aug. 25 • Culmination Event on Thurs., Aug. 26

SPRUCE’n Up for School, Capital Campaign

$10 School Supplies for Students $25 Chairs for Children $50 Writing Supplies for Wrangling Thoughts $100 Silver Bells of Learning for the Arts $200 Desks & Tables for Teaching $250 Gold Star Work Spaces for Great Volunteers $350 Community Laptops for Learning $500 Platinum Apples of Education for Kitchen Appliances $750 Library Sections of Books for Learning $1,000 SPRUCE Trees for Spreading Knowledge

GIFT TREE LEVELS

$5,000 Instruction Areas for Moose-n-Around $10,000 Forest Friends of Imagination for Exploring the Outdoors $25,000 Geared Up for Technology Throughout the Building $50,000 Classroom Creators for Engaging Rooms $150,000 Common Spaces for Collaboration $300,000 Facility for Experiential Learning www.silverspruceacademy.org | 970-500-5657