recover from economic impacts of COVID-19
DENVER, MARCH 17, 2021 — The Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced last week that it has awarded a $2.3 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to help rural Colorado communities develop economic recovery and resiliency plans. These efforts will support the growth of regional economies and businesses, and advance economic resiliency efforts.
A State Partnership Team including the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), along with the nonprofit Community Builders, will offer rural communities planning and technical assistance support to diversify and strengthen their economies while building resiliency. Communities with shared economies are invited to form Regional Community Teams to accelerate progress toward thriving and resilient economies. Teams will be selected through a formal application process based on their rural status, COVID-19 impacts, connected economies and economic vulnerability factors. The goal is to serve 16 Regional Community Teams, representing at least 50 rural Colorado communities.