FREE Take One
SAN LUIS VALLEY
PROGRESS
2018 Economy/Retail
January 24, 2018 719-852-3531 835 First Ave. Monte Vista, Colo.
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Economy/Retail Progress
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
ACEDC: Economic development is good investment STAFF REPORT ALAMOSA — Members of the Alamosa County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) impressed on Alamosa city councilors during a work session last fall the value of city support for the organization. “Everyone in this room understands very well the importance of economic development,” said ACEDC/Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Wright. “It comes up every election.” He said ACEDC works closely with the SLV Small Business Development Center, directed by Jeff Owsley, to attract, expand and retain jobs and businesses in the area. While ACEDC is focused on Alamosa County and the SBDC is Valley-wide, both embrace economic development wherever it occurs in the Valley because the collaborative approach benefits everyone, Wright explained. “We are too small to not work better together,” added ACEDC Past President Delzia Worley. She said ACEDC appreciates the city’s financial support as well as staff support from city staff such as Public Works Director Pat Steenburg and City Manager Heather Brooks. “I don’t think I have ever seen a better working relationship with council and the city in this area of economic development in my lifetime,” Owsley said. “Your staff is incredible.” “I don’t think you can do economic development without working together,” added ACEDC Executive Board Member Duane Bussey. He said it takes partnerships between the private and public sector. At the request of the city council, Wright outlined some of the accomplishments of the group in the past year: 247 contacts, 28 business starts, 75 jobs created, at least 45 jobs retained. Worley and Wright said although the most obvious measure of economic development is new business, the true measure of economic development encompasses much more than that. Worley said, for example, that it is just as important to retain businesses and jobs that already exist in the community as it is to bring in new ones. Councilor Charles Griego asked who else contributes to ACEDC’s budget, specifically if the county helped fund the group and if ACEDC had memberships like the chamber of commerce. Griego added that the city provided $25,000 when the group began to help get it started. The current amount budgeted from the city for ACEDC is $29,000. Wright said the city’s funding for ACEDC is crucial as an ongoing contribution. “If we have irons in the fire, we have got to make sure they stay hot,” Wright said. Wright said the county contributes about $5,500 towards ACEDC’s annual budget of about $100,000, as well as paying for some of Wright’s trips such as a recent trip to a Dallas expo. Other income comes from memberships, Wright said. Worley said corporations such as participat-
Photo by Ruth Heide
Members of the Alamosa County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) met with Alamosa city councilors and city staff during a work session last fall. From left are new Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman, ACEDC member Duane Bussey, ACEDC President Keith Cerny, ACEDC/Chamber Executive Director Randy Wright, Councilors Charles Griego and Kristina Daniel and Mayor Josef Lucero. ing banks pay $5,000 for annual memberships and individual businesses pay $2,000 for annual memberships. Councilor Kristina Daniel asked how ACEDC’s relationship with the city is mutually beneficial. “It’s becoming very clear with the things that we have done over the last 10-15 years that we play a very important role in economic development for the city as well as the county of Alamosa,” said current ACEDC President Keith Cerny, “because if we don’t do it, who is going to do it? As far as I am aware, the city does not have an economic arm.” Cerny added that in the recently completed comprehensive plan one of the strongest points made by citizens in the community was the need for economic development. Brooks said that economic development was rated in the 80-plus percentage as a priority for community members who participated in the comprehensive plan, specifically urging the city to contribute more resources to economic development. Griego said economic development was supposed to be jobs, and residents want to know if jobs are being created and how many. Wright said the effect of the 75 new jobs listed in the annual report could be multiplied, and every one of the employees in those new jobs is spending money.
Councilor Liz Thomas Hensley added that those 75 jobs actually could multiply out to 100-120 jobs. “It has a ripple effect,” she said. “It does really multiply.” Cerny added that if the city viewed its $29,000 contribution to ACEDC in terms of the 75 jobs created in the last year, “It’s a pretty small investment to make … As taxpayers, that was a great investment.” Cerny said business owners understand how important economic development is for the health and future of their businesses. “Without other businesses in this community, mine goes away,” he said. Worley added that a strong business community is also crucial for recruiting and retaining staff at the hospital and university. Former Alamosa Mayor Josef Lucero asked what was being done to stop the leakage of dollars going elsewhere because Alamosa may not have businesses or goods that consumers are looking for. Brooks reminded the council that the city has been working with a company that identifies those gaps so the city can help potential new businesses find out what is missing here and perhaps feel a need. Alamosa is in a prime position to be a leader in the new fields of unmanned aircraft and hemp, she added. Owsley said he is currently speaking with
people who are interested in starting new businesses here, and he is talking with them about the niches that are not filled. He agreed that Colorado has unique opportunities in certain fields such as unmanned aircraft and agricultural and heritage tourism. He said one of the San Luis Valley’s biggest assets is its cooperative effort. Wright said if a new business locates in one part of the Valley, it benefits the rest of the Valley too. Lucero asked about ACEDC’s relationship with the marketing district. Two of the ACEDC members present Wednesday night — Owsley and Rob Oringdulph — are also on the marketing district, with Oringdulph serving as chairman. “There is a close relationship between the tourism and marketing board and ACEDC because we are working towards the same goal,” Oringdulph said. “Both organizations are kept abreast of what each other is doing.” New Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman spoke in favor of retaining current funding for ACEDC and compared economic growth to planting a seed, which may not be visible above ground at first but eventually breaks through. City councilors were receptive to more frequent meetings with ACEDC. Lucero concluded, “We want to be part of the vision. We are part of the vision.”
Alamosa County to welcome day care, Amish furniture store STAFF REPORT
ALAMOSA — Two new businesses provide Alamosa County a shopping venue and a place to watch your kids while you shop. During an October meeting Alamosa County Commissioners approved the special use permits for a child care home and an Amish retail center. Heather Vanover runs a day care center with a capacity of nine children at 7220 Adams Lane. “The application is not anticipated to adversely affect the adopted plans and policies of the county,” said Alamosa County Land Use Administrator Rachel Baird, “and meets specific demands by fulfilling a need for child care in our community.” “We certainly have a need for day care in our community so I would be supportive of this,” added Alamosa County Commissioner Helen Sigmond. Silver Antler Furniture began as a single Amish business but if sales are good it hopes to expand into a retail center with multiple
storefronts at 4809 Road 104 South. Those future stores could include a bakery, clothing store, gun store and grocery that may employ up to eight people. “The way the Amish work is they’ll have to see that we’re doing good out there before they’re going to step out and try it there to,” said business owner Levi Yoder. “It could go a couple years or five years before anybody is ready to give it a try.” Until then the furniture store will sell cabinets and other pieces made by Yoder along with items shipped in from Ohio. Customers can pick up the goods they want from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Speaking on behalf of Alamosa Economic Development Corporation and Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce, Randy Wright was enthusiastic about the boost in tourism. “I’ve had a detailed conversation with one of the owners and I would like to say that both of our organizations are in favor of this development,” said Wright during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Michael Atanian, a business partner of Silver Antler Furniture, was excited to get started on the first Amish store in the county. “I think it will be great for the community and also great for all of the Amish people who are scattered throughout the county in
pretty rural locations,” said Atanian. “Once this location takes off and people realize that they’re there, I think a lot of the traffic coming from the Monte Vista area and South Fork will be stopping into this business for fried pies and coffee,” Atanian said.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Economy/Retail Progress
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Valley donors benefit from state tax credit BY HEW HALLOCK
San Luis Valley Housing Coalition San Luis Valley Food & Farm Incubator ALAMOSA – During the year-end giving San Luis Valley Regional Airport Improvements season, donors have the opportunity to realize a San Luis Valley SBDC 25 percent state income tax credit by giving to Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area a community organization certified through the SLV Health Foundation San Luis Valley Enterprise Zone Contribution Tax SLV Health – Conejos County Hospital Credit program. SLV Zone Marketing/Administration (San Luis “Having the Enterprise Zone status has been Valley Development Resources Group) vital in serving the San Luis Valley Health FoundaSociety Hall Foundation tion in its fundraising efforts,” said Kelly Gurule, TSJC Valley Campus Job Training director of the foundation. “The additional 25 Tu Casa Domestic Violence Victims Shelter percent tax credit has assisted us with growing Valley-Wide Health, Inc. our donor base and has helped us maintain donor Ventero Open Press trust and loyalty.” Thirty-four community projects and organiza“The Enterprise Zone tax credit program is a tions in the San Luis Valley receive financial or fantastic, valuable resource and the primary reason in-kind donations through the San Luis Valley Enterprise Zone Contribution Tax Credit program. that La Puente can provide service to over 16,000 people with less than nine percent government San Luis Valley Enterprise Zone Contribu- funding,” said Lance Cheslock, executive director of La Puente, a nonprofit organization that serves tion Projects: the Valley by providing food, shelter, and advocacy Adams State University Job Training for the homeless and community. Alamosa County Revitalization And financial support is not the only way the Alamosa Downtown Revitalization tax program benefits La Puente, according to Alamosa Senior Center Cheslock. “The Enterprise Zone inspires donors Astronaut Rominger Airport Improvements to give more than they would otherwise,” he said. Blanca Downtown Revitalization “It engages many donors into learning more about Creede Repertory Theatre Creede/Mineral County Information and Educa- our programs and that results in their volunteering over 72,000 hours – a state high. These donors are tion Resources Center able to hold us accountable to doing our jobs. It’s Crestone Revitalization natural, government-free accountability. It is a winDel Norte Commercial Development win for community donors and state government.” La Puente Home Homeless Services To date, cash contributions made to enterprise Mineral County Fairgrounds zone projects in 2017 total over $1.25 million. This Mineral County Public Health Clinic total represents 834 individual contributions. A Monte Vista Downtown Revitalization flurry of year-end donations is expected between Monte Vista Ski Hi Park now and Jan. 1 and should boost the number and Potato Industry Promotion total amount of contributions. Rio Grande County Museum Enterprise zones are designed to encourage job Rio Grande County Revitalization creation and business investment in regions of Rio Grande Hospital the state with high unemployment, low income S.E.E.D. Park and slow population growth. Businesses in the Saguache Downtown Revitalization
Courtesy photo
SLV Health is one of 34 organizations in the Valley that benefits from the San Luis Valley Enterprise Zone Contribution Tax Credit program. designated zones can take advantage of a slate the R&D Increase Tax Credit; the Vacant Building of tax credits as incentives to invest and improve Rehabilitation Tax Credit; and the Manufacturing their operations. All six counties of the San Luis and Mining Sales and Use Tax. Valley – Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, More information on the San Luis Valley Rio Grande, Saguache – and 18 communities are Enterprise Zone is available by calling the zone within the San Luis Valley Enterprise Zone, mean- administrator, Kevin Wilkins, at 719-589-6099; ing any business located in the region is eligible e-mail kwilkins@slvdrg.org. for the available tax credits. Those interested in taking advantage of the tax Other tax credits available through the enterprise credits available through the San Luis Valley Enzone are the Job Training Tax Credit; the New terprise Zone should speak with their accountant. Business Facility Tax Credit, which includes For information about Colorado’s Enterprise credits for new jobs created, an additional credit Zone program, go online to www.slvdrg.org/slvfor new jobs created by ag processors, and an addi- enterprise-zone/ on the web site for San Luis Valley tional credit for health insurance for each new job; Development Resources Group.
Tips for finding a job in the San Luis Valley BY ANTHONY GUERRERO SAN LUIS VALLEY— With high poverty levels, unemployment or underemployment is a very real struggle many citizens of the San Luis Valley encounter. They may lack the necessary skills, education, experience and even economic boost they may need to land a well-paying or dream job. Fortunately, there are many programs that offer valuable assistance to help in personal growth. One such program is Rocky Mountain Service, Employment, Redevelopment (Rocky Mountain SER). Rocky Mountain SER was established in 1988 and has “provided quality educational, employment and training services to over 50,000 unemployed, economically disadvantaged and underemployed people,” according to their website. The program is funded through grants and contracts with agencies such as the US Department of Labor and the US Department of Health and Human Services. SER currently serves over 3,000 low income families through its many programs of assistance. For those seeking employment Rocky Mountain SER has a Workforce Development program with workforce offices located throughout the Valley. According to SER the organization “offers free vocational and on-thejob training and opportunities to adult, youth and dislocated workers in need of employment through the Workforce Investment ACT (WIA).” The act is a program funded by the federal government to improve the quality of the Colorado workforce. Rocky Mountain SER reports that the following services are available to participants of Workforce Diversion Programs, “on-the-job training offering up to 50 percent hourly pay reimbursement for employers training RMSER participants, tuition assistance to RMSER participants attending post-secondary schools or private training institutions, work experience opportunities for RMSER participants who have never worked or who lack the necessary skills to obtain employment, with 100 percent of their wages paid by the workforce program on behalf of participants placed at private or public worksites, transportation, clothing, tools, and or equipment assistance to participants during their training or employment
periods with food and rental assistance.” Another resource for job seekers in the Valley is the Colorado Workforce Center’s Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium. The consortium “strives to make sure that every Colorado business has access to a skilled workforce and every Coloradan has access to meaningful employment, resulting in statewide economic vitality.” The workforce center’s website has many valuable resources for businesses and job seekers alike. For job seekers there is assistance in the
search, resume guidance, career help, skills assessment, networking opportunities, training, and youth and veterans’ services. For businesses the center offers recruiting and screening, hiring events, candidate assessments, onboarding, training, planning, labor market information and layoff and separation services. For more information on Rocky Mountain SER, please visit www.rmser.org For more information on the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium, see www.yourworkforcecenter.com.
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Economy/Retail Progress
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
‘Poorest’ counties still making progress BY SYLVIA LOBATO
SAN LUIS VALLEY—New businesses and economic growth have been slow during the past year, but what has happened is remarkable. Both Conejos and Costilla counties were reported to be among the poorest in the state, but longtime residents declared that some people were making money, and state statistics bear that out. In Antonito, the town was able to acquire the historic Warshauer Mansion to become the heart of municipal government; in San Luis, buildings that once were The San Luis Institute of Adams State College were resurrected via grants funds, with housing municipal agencies, programs to reconnect children with Costilla County history and culture and community cooking planned, along with a place for plays and movies, if the community wants them. When Community Banks closed out the Antonito branch, the building didn’t stay vacant long. Café del Valley opened, binging a new coffee house to the sleepy little town and offering a place for veterans and other groups to gather, eat and enjoy a special ambiance. Offerings include Amish pastries, along with a small market and a supply of items geared toward the tourist trade, as well as residents. Just north of town, veterans worked with Conejos County government to plan and begin creating Veterans Boulevard, which branched west of U.S. 160 toward the county courthouse and the Catholic church. Around 40 trees are already planted and being watered through the auspices of Antonito government, which completed utilities to the small town of Guadalupe to the north. The entire boulevard will eventually be lined with trees, each dedicated to an individual veteran. A ribbon cutting in the spring was wellattended and volunteers worked with Conejos County government to plan entrance signs and a unique flagpole placed in a silhouette depicting the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima. At the south end of town, the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area worked with the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic (C&TS) Railroad, Antonito residents and Conejos County government worked to renovate the county museum and turn it into a public attraction. The C&TS, called a “museum on wheels” earned nationwide applause as a top visitors’ attraction and reported an increase in ridership by the end of 2017. State projections said the area would have more than 100 miles of broadband fiber optic
Photos by Sylvia Lobato
Soon to become the seat of Antonito town government, the historic Warshauer Mansion was purchased by a municipality with hopes for tomorrow.
cables and 135 megawatts of solar capacity by 2017 and a new array near Romeo went on line during the summer. A new marijuana dispensary opened in what had been a restaurant just outside the railyards south of Antonito. La Jara welcomed a new family psychologist, along with a Subway restaurant and a branch of the Guadalupe Credit Union, but turned down requests to establish recreational marijuana shops. According to statistics from the state Office of Economic Development, Conejos County would lose up to five percent of its jobs by 2017, while Costilla would gain the same amount. Agriculture was reported to be a large jobs producer, with Conejos County reporting 23 percent and Costilla County found to have 26 percent. Health services are big, with nine percent of the jobs created in Conejos County and six in Costilla. Retail trade accounts for nine percent of the jobs in Conejos County and six percent in Costilla. The biggest employer in Conejos and Cos- Veterans in Conejos County hadn’t had a memorial since the end of World War II, so tilla counties is government, with 24 percent residents, veterans, county government and the town of Antonito worked all summer to plant trees, get signs renaming a county road set up and cut the ribbon for the project. and 29 percent respectively.
Adams State hosts SLV Economic Summit ALAMOSA— Adams State University hosted the first San Luis Valley Economic Summit Aug. 3, bringing together more than 100 representatives of economic development, business and government entities from across the Valley. Adams State President Beverlee J. McClure explained the summit arose from efforts of a volunteer group that is focused on economic development. “We began to talk about the need to share the positive activities and services already in place that can help us as we move forward to support the valley. We want to encourage business and job growth. We don’t want the valley’s biggest export to be our children and our talent.” In addition to McClure, the summit organizing group included Marty & Bonnie Asplin of URGED (Upper Rio Grande Economic Development); Larry Zaragoza, mayor of La Jara; Gigi Dennis, Alamosa County executive; Azarel Madrigal with the city of Monte Vista; Randy Wright, director of the Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce; Jeff Owsley, director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC); and Tom Acre, former South Fork city manager. The SLV Economic Summit was sponsored by Adams State University, the SBDC, SLV Rural Electric Cooperative and Ciello, URGED and the city of Monte Vista. The day opened with brief presentations on the various services, programs and initiatives to support economic development that are currently underway in the valley. It concluded with round tables at which participants identified service
gaps and needs and how to address those issue to further economic development. Some of those needs include affordable housing, public transportation, an inventory of available properties for business development, a workforce study, and entrepreneurship support. The group heard from keynote speaker J.J. Ament, CEO of Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, who emphasized the value of forging connections between urban and rural areas of the state. “Unless we’re working all together and promoting the state as a whole, we won’t be successful. We need to be partners on economic development to increase primary jobs and expand business opportunities.” He said it is particularly important for rural communities to collaborate as a whole, rather than compete amongst themselves. “One advantage of regional and small businesses is that they retain the uniqueness of their communities.” He added that small businesses and entrepreneurs are critical to economic development. “They create innovations others have not discovered yet. They provide employment and that creates a talent pipeline for business development. The valley has a huge resource in Adams State University to do that. We need to be aware of institutions of higher education and K-12 to make sure we are educating students that can be employed in the free enterprise system.” He also discussed the advantages Colorado has in attracting new businesses and employers. Those include a highly educated workforce and factors
that make it easy to do business in Colorado, such as air service that can take people from DIA to anywhere in the country in four hours. “Colorado is also one of the places people want to be. Every business is recruiting talent. They need to recruit locally, as well as attract people to relocate here.” His organization focuses on areas where Colorado has a competitive advantage. These industry clusters include aerospace, aviation, beverage production, bioscience, broadcasting and telecommunications, energy, financial services, healthcare and wellness, and IT software. “We need to build connectivity between these industry clusters and rural Colorado.” The summit also included a special presentation by Mark Falcone, CEO and Founder of Continuum Partners. The development group works to create human habitats of extraordinary character and enduring value that are both economically viable and ecologically sustainable. His group has purchased the former Frontier Drive-In property in Center, Colo., and plans to develop it as a food, film, and art retreat. The plan is to begin construction next spring and have programming in place by the end of summer 2018. His vision for the location is to provide artist residencies, workshops, and public programming such as exhibits, lectures, film screenings, and music performances. “We want to explore opportunities and places where people can feel better connected to the essence of humanity – something that urban life and our digitized world detaches them from.”
The facility will also have lodging and event space available to rent. “We estimate it could generate 25,000 to 30,000 visits a year to the valley.” Participating organizations that presented on their services included the following: SBDC URGED: Upper Rio Grande Economic Development ACEDC: Alamosa County Economic Development Corporation ScSEED: Saguache County Sustainable Environment & Economic Development DRF/COG: Development Resources Group/ Council of Governments CCEDC: Costilla County Economic Development Council ASU Community Partnerships/Business Services Alamosa Chamber of Commerce Valley Initiative Partners (VIP) Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) USDA Rural Development CDFI: Community Development Financial Institutes – First Southwest Bank Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Colorado Workforce Trinidad State Junior College Sector Partnerships in healthcare and valueadded agriculture Industrial Hemp Proximity Malt Three Barrel Brewing
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Economy/Retail Progress
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Dollar General opens in South Fork BY LYNDSIE FERRELL SOUTH FORK— A new store has opened in South Fork and is bringing with it a myriad of opportunities that have never been available in the area before. The new Dollar General officially opened its doors on Sept. 9 after months of construction and negotiations to purchase the land where the store was built. Town officials were eager to in August that a business license had been issued for the store and that an opening day was close on the horizon. South Fork has grown over the last year, adding to the already bustling little town and bringing a new generation of visitors to the area. Several of the new businesses including the Dollar General have reached out to the South Fork Chamber of Commerce for support, to which the chamber has positively responded. According to the company’s website, the Dollar General has a rich history of its own that fits in nicely with the surrounding community of South Fork. The site states, “James Luther (J.L.) Turner’s father died in an accident in 1902 when J.L. was only 11. J.L. quit school so he could work on the family farm and help provide for his mother and siblings and never completed his education. J.L. knew his limited education demanded that he become a quick study of the world around him. After two unsuccessful attempts at retailing, J.L. became a traveling dry goods salesman for a Nashville wholesale grocer. J.L. left the sales job after 10
Photo by Lyndsie Ferrell
The new Dollar General store opened its doors on Sept. 9 in South Fork. years and settled his family in Scottsville, Ky. During the Depression, he began buying and liquidating bankrupt general stores. J.L.’s only child, Cal Turner Sr., accompanied his father to these closeouts at a young age, gaining valuable business knowledge and skills. In October 1939, J.L. and Cal opened J.L. Turner and Son Wholesale with an initial investment of $5,000 each. Wholesaling quickly gave way to retailing – J.L.’s third and final attempt at retailing. The switch to retailing resulted in annual sales above $2 million by the early 1950s, and the
rest is history. The first Dollar General store opened in Springfield, Ky. on June 1, 1955, and the concept was simple – no item in the store would cost more than one dollar. The idea became a huge success and other stores owned by J.L. Turner and his son Cal Turner Sr. were quickly converted. By 1957, annual sales of Dollar General’s 29 stores were $5 million.” The store has generated jobs for the community and offers a wide variety of goods without causing severe competition for local
stores. According to sources, there is an average of seven employees with the possibility of more as the busy season approaches in South Fork. The business will also add to the sales tax collected in town, helping boost and stabilize the economy. There will be an open house held at the new store located just west of town off of Highway 160 on Saturday, Sept. 23. The store will be handing out gift cards, Dollar General gear and some merchandise. Stop by and welcome the new store to the area.
Kale Mortensen is new CVB executive director STAFF REPORT
ALAMOSA — Kale Mortensen was named the new executive director of Alamosa’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Thursday evening during the Alamosa County Marketing District Board meeting following a lengthy selection process. Mortensen replaces Jamie Greeman, who left in September to start her own candy store. “I’m excited to step up into this role and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Mortensen said Thursday, Jan. 11. “I’m excited for Alamosa because it’s in a prime position to see growth in tourism.” San Luis Valley native Mortensen, 27, contested for the position with SLV Small Business Development Center Director Jeff Owsley—who took a leave of absence from the board to not create a conflict of interest—and Chris Cole, a tourism project manager from Sarasota, Florida who grew up in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The selection was initially scheduled to happen shortly after their interviews on Jan. 4. However, the caliber of competition led to more discussion and a 30-minute executive session on Jan. 11. “This was a very, very difficult decision for us to make as a board,” said Alamosa County Marketing District Board President Rob Oringdulph after the executive session. “You are very strong candidates and we tussled with this.” Mortensen has worked with Greeman at the welcome center for the past two years as manager. Before that Adams State University Marketing Professor Liz Thomas Hensley, and marketing district board member, inspired him to major in the field. “It felt right,” he said in an interview after the meeting. “It was an exciting industry to go into with lots of different possibilities. I never thought I would be working in tourism when I got that degree. Marketing can really lead anywhere.”
Kale Mortensen
Courtesy photo
With family members as alumni and the opportunity to continue golfing, Mortensen felt the choice to attend ASU was the correct one. “Everyone that grows up here has that sense of wanting to experience something new or get out of here,” he said. “I’m glad I made that decision to stay.”
He believes his fresh eyes will help bring about growth. “We need to make sure we’re being innovative and staying up with the times. Especially in marketing, things are always changing.” The new executive director thanked Greeman along with past and current board members for
laying the groundwork for the organization. He hopes to make it more community-driven than before. “I’m wanting to have these conversations to see how we can improve and make this place even better than it is. My door is always open and my phone is always on.”
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Economy/Retail Progress
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Towns continue to grow in western part of Valley BY LYNDSIE FERRELL
RIO GRANDE COUNTY— Organizations throughout the Valley have made it their mission to see that the economy continues to grow despite the lack of new businesses in the past several years. Groups like Upper Rio Grande Economic Development (URGED), Del Norte Economic Development Corporation (DNEDC), The Rio Grande Watershed Emergency Action Coordination Team (RWEACT-Win) and several local entities have worked continuously to bring people to the area and market the Valley as a whole to entice new business growth. In the past year, the changes that have occurred have been amazing to those who have lived here long enough to know that if new businesses do come to the area, unless they seek unified help from the community, they rarely last. This was not the case for seven new establishments that laid down their roots and with the help of local resources have made their investments thrive. All seven will be celebrating their first and second years with hope of many more to come. The boom seemed to take place in the summer of 2016, when Joe McCarn and his wife Kathy each opened a new business in South Fork. The McCarns each took a chance to pursue their individual dreams by opening a computer repair and networking shop called simply McCarn Computers, while his wife opened her own establishment, the Bear Claw Bakery. Both businesses celebrated their one-year anniversaries in November of 2017, having survived the tough slow season and have even helped bring the local chamber of commerce out of the shadows in order to help other newcomers in the area. Another business opened shortly before McCarn Computers and the Bear Claw Bakery in the building next to the bakery. Two Rivers BBQ opened their doors in June of 2016. Tyler Schmidt and his wife moved from the Alamosa area where both worked in law enforcement before cashing in on their dreams and opening a restaurant. Schmidt came from a long line of meat smiths and uses their recipes to this day. Like the McCarns, the Schmidts also became involved in their community and began to serve on the local fire department as well as promote the area through videos they posted online. The fall of 2016 was a good year for South Fork as yet another business opened their doors
or rather their campsites. Peacock Meadows finished construction of a year-round RV and campground with state of the art facilities engineered to withstand even the coldest of winters. Dave Bates and his wife had a dream to open their own RV park for many years and when they came to the South Fork area, they knew from first sight this was where they wanted to build. Within a year they also opened Peacock Saloon, using the summer community building as a place for people to come have a drink, eat delicious food and visit with friends. The good fortune spread down the canyon to Del Norte in the spring of 2017 when the building that used to house the Organic Peddler was filled with a new enterprise, the Mystic Biscuit. Owner Justin Kehr grabbed his sister and brother in law and decided to open a new restaurant, which in the last year has become a hotspot for local residents. The trio wanted to keep true to the Organic Peddler’s offering of local grown food and continued to use local businesses, Gosar Sausage and Haefeli’s Honey, just to name a few. During the same spring, another restaurant, Photos by Lyndsie Ferrell Chavolo’s Taqueria, opened its doors down Chavolo’s Taqueria opened its door in Del Norte in the spring of 2017. the street. Owner Edger Ortiz began his small chain of restaurants in 2005; one is located in Durango, Colo. with another in Pagosa Springs. The restaurant serves a wide variety of Mexican dishes including breakfast items six days a week. In the following November, another business started work on one of the old shops near the post office on Columbia Ave. Laura Metz spent her adult life studying Chinese medicine and traveling around the world. Now, she has opened a business in Del Norte, with hopes of bringing a lifetime of healing to the area. Metz grew up in the Monte Vista area before heading off to college to study alternative medicine first at the Colorado Christian University in Denver where she earned her first degree. After several years and an internship with a Chinese doctor, Metz focused her attention on acupuncture and attended the Colorado School of Chinese Medicine. Residents and local officials alike can feel the changes coming to the area and hope that the upward trend can continue. Each of the organizations mentioned above, as well as the Del Norte and South Fork chambers of commerce can provide resources to new businesses Valley-wide. South Fork welcomed the Peacock Saloon in late December.
Idaho Pacific expands dehydration plant in Center $6M project adds 35 jobs CENTER – A newly recently completed expansion of the Idaho Pacific Colorado potato dehydration operation in Center has nearly doubled the plant’s production of potato flakes and flour – and added 35 new full-time jobs to the local workforce. The company now has 133 full-time employees. “We are very excited about the expansion, and the positive economic impact our business will have on the local economy,” said Todd Sutton, the company’s vice president of operations. In the addition to the company’s existing business, the expansion positively affects the area economy through the purchase of supplies, materials and services from local businesses, and the purchase of nearly 200 million pounds of raw potatoes from area farms. Idaho Pacific Colorado invested approximately six million dollars in the project, which includes state-of-the-art technology Courtesy photo in dehydrated potato flakes and flour manuTim Ruggles, left, plant manager for Idaho Pacific Colorado Corp. at the company’s po- facturing and water treatment. “The new technology will keep our tato dehydration plant in Center, and Todd Sutton, right, vice president of operations at IPCC, provide a tour of the company’s expanded plant to Lee Swenson, center, senior business competitive with our global competition and will allow our products to advisor on Colorado Rural Policy to U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.
continue to be marketed world-wide,” said Tim Ruggles, manager of the plant. “The San Luis Valley is a perfect location for our business due to the quantity and quality of potatoes grown by the local farming operations. We are proud to be a part of the local potato industry. Included in the project was funding from San Luis Valley Development Resources Group to expand the water treatment facility. “We appreciate the support of the San Luis Valley Resources Development group, which helped make the expansion possible,” noted Sutton. The potato dehydration process includes sorting, steam peeling, slicing, cooking and mashing raw potatoes that are then applied to large drum rollers that dry the cooked potatoes to a moisture content of six to nine percent. The dried potatoes come off the drum rollers in a thin sheet that looks like paper. The product is then ground to specific granulations, screened and packaged in sizes ranging from a 22-pound bag up to a 2,000-pound supersack. Idaho Pacific Colorado Corporation has owned and operated the potato dehydration plant in Center since 2001. The business manufactures dehydrated potato flakes and potato flour that are used as ingredients in snack foods, bakery items, soups and stews, retail products for instant mashed potatoes, and in restaurants and cafeterias for mashed potatoes and potato side dishes.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Economy/Retail Progress
Page 7
CDOT completes fiber optic installation
SAN LUIS VALLEY— The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and contractor Main Electric are pleased to announce the completion of the US Highway (US) 160 Wolf Creek Pass Fiber Optic Installation project. The $4.5 million project started 5 months ago in mid-April. CDOT and Main Electric installed 95,000 feet of fiber optic cable; installed 54 manholes; milled and repaved; striped; and seeded along the 16 mile stretch of the US 160 mountain corridor, near and in the community of South Fork. Work was also performed on electrical signs in Monte Vista, Alamosa and La Veta Pass. The fiber optic installation project will benefit both CDOT and the general public. The fiber optic technology will optimize digital controls within the Wolf Creek Tunnel. Meanwhile Colorado communities will experience a positive impact from the
continued expansion of high-speed telecommunications to all areas of the state. For more information about this project visit the webpage: https://www.codot.gov/ projects/us-160-wolf-creek-pass-fiberoptic-2017. To sign up to receive project information and/or lane closure updates on state highways in the area of your choice, visit CDOT’s website at www.codot.gov and choose the envelope icon at the bottom of the webpage. Or, to see CDOT’s lane closure reports for projects statewide, visit www.codot.gov/travel/scheduled-laneclosures.html. CDOT and Main Electric installed 95,000 feet of fiber optic cable during a fivemonth project in the San Luis Valley. Courtesy photos
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Colorado LEAP program accepting applications
COLORADO– Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) began accepting applications for its 2017-18 season on Nov. 1. LEAP provides cash assistance to help Coloradans pay a portion of their home heating costs during the winter months. The program pays the highest benefits to those with the highest heating bills and the lowest incomes by family size. LEAP is 100 percent federally funded and administered by the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) “Last year, nearly 98,000 Coloradans applied for LEAP and received an average benefit of nearly $344 per household,” said Aggie Berens, LEAP manager. “We want to make sure that all eligible Coloradans are aware of LEAP’s assistance, so they can receive some help with heating costs this winter.” To qualify for LEAP, an applicant’s income cannot exceed 165 percent of the federal poverty level ($3,383 per month for a family of four), and they must be responsible for paying
heating costs directly to an energy provider, fuel dealer or as part of their rent. They also must be permanent legal residents of the United States and Colorado, or have household members who are U.S. citizens. LEAP-eligible households may also qualify for programs that inspect a home’s primary heating source, such as a furnace or woodburning stove, and weatherization upgrades that improve a home’s energy efficiency. The State of Colorado also offers a rebate of property tax, rent and heat expenses to lowincome seniors and disabled persons. Visit the Colorado Department of Revenue’s website at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax/property-tax-rent-heat-credit-ptc-rebate-file for more information and the rebate application booklet. To find out if you qualify for LEAP, call toll-free at 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-4328435) or visit www.colorado.gov/cdhs/leap to view the most current program application requirements and download an application. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2018.
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Economy/Retail Progress
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
SBA names Daniel Nordberg as region VIII administrator
WASHINGTON – U.S Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon recently announced the appointment of six SBA Regional Administrators. SBA has 10 regions covering the United States and U.S. territories. These offi ces, which are managed by politically appointed administrators, play a part in supervising the 68 district offi ces and promoting the President’s and SBA Administrator’s policies, messages and priorities throughout the region. “I am very pleased that we now have six new Regional Administrators in place that can help support me and the President in serving as a voice and go-to resource for our nation’s 30 million small businesses. I will rely on them heavily as we move forward in 2018 and beyond and look forward to working closely with each one of them,” McMahon said. As Region I Administrator, Wendell G. Davis will oversee SBA programs, offices and operations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Region II Administrator Steve Bulger will oversee SBA programs, offices and operations in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Robert Scott, Region V administrator, will oversee SBA programs, offices and operations in Il-
linois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. As Region VII Administrator, Thomas J. Salisbury will oversee SBA programs, offices and operations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Region VIII Administrator Daniel P. Nordberg will oversee SBA programs, offices and operations in Colorado, North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. The Region VIII office is based in Denver. As Region X Administrator, M. Jeremy Field will oversee SBA programs, offi ces and operations in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. About Daniel Nordberg Nordberg was a three-time elected state representative for 75,000 constituents in House District 14 (Colorado Springs/El Paso County) in the Colorado General Assembly. He sponsored several bills into law and is an advocate in reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses. Before his service in the Legislature, Nordberg worked as district director for U.S. Congressman Doug Lamborn. In this capacity, he served as a liaison
to Colorado’s business community as well as federal and state agencies. Previous to that, Nordberg worked as a legislative aide in Washington, D.C. where he focused on small business, homeland security and financial services issues. Born and raised in Colorado, Nordberg graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political science. He and his wife Maura, a school psychologist, are the proud parents of three children. About the Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public
Daniel Nordberg
Courtesy photo
and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To learn more, visit: www.sba.gov.
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Out of Courtesy photo
Owner Jamie Greeman is excited to offer a new business in downtown Alamosa.
Downtown Alamosa just got ‘sweeter’ ALAMOSA– Filling a void in downtown, Lolly’s Sweets Shoppe opened just in time for the holidays and offers a variety of candy, chocolates and gift baskets for gift giving. Owned by Jamie Greeman and Scott Beamon, the new store is located at 510 San Juan, just behind Alamosa Home. A wide assortment of gummies, old fashioned candy, bulk candy and chocolates are offered. Lolly’s also has savory snacks like beef jerky, beef sticks, and savory and sweet flavored popcorn. The shoppe also has a special back room that is perfect for birthday parties. Lolly’s can be found on Facebook and their website. Call 589-6773 for more details.
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