Thursday, June 26, 2008

Region 9 releases ‘Southwest Colorado Index’

The Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado and the Fort Lewis College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have received a $30,000 for the Growth Company Initiative (GCI).

The GCI is a five-component partnership with county economic development groups, Region 9 the Fort Lewis College School of Business Administration (SOBA), and he SBDC too target local emerging growth companies. Emerging growth companies (EGCs) are defined as companies with the desire and ability to grow quickly, a strong competitive advantage, innovative products or services, defensible technology, skilled employees or processes, and serving markets outside the local economy.

Region 9 and partners have recognized a need to provide equity capital in addition to a range of support programs for these local entrepreneurs. “EGCs are critically important to our regional economic development,” said Ed Morlan, Region 9’s executive director. “Nationwide these innovative companies create about 75% of all new jobs, provide unique products or services and most importantly, because of their desire to grow and need for highly skilled employees, EGCs provide higher than average wage jobs and diversify the region’s economy.”

The GCI’s expected impact is to work with several emerging growth companies in the coming year and leverage approximately $2,000,000 in equity capital to assist entrepreneurs create about 60 jobs. For more information about the Growth Company Initiative, contact Cassie Paquin with Region 9 at 247-9621.

Also, Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado has completed the “Southwest Colorado Index — Data & Trends.” This index provides information about the overall health of our communities and whether the region is headed forward or backward, improving or deteriorating. Since all aspects of community are intricately linked to one another, an indicator changing in one area can affect many other areas.

Sections included in the index are demographics, economy, healthcare, arts, culture, transportation, livable wages, civic participation, community safety, housing, education, environment, energy and conservation.

This report was previously called “Pathways to Healthier Communities,” but when Operation Healthy Communities closed in 2006, Region 9 took over the production of the document.

The full document is now on Region 9’s Web site and can be downloaded at www.scan.org. For more information, call Region 9 at 247-9621.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

LPEA candidate election packets available now

Election packets for those interested in running for a seat on the LPEA Board of Directors area available now at the LPEA offices in Pagosa Springs and Durango.

To be placed on the ballot, a candidate must return a completed packet to the Durango office by 10 a.m. on July 23.

Pursuant to LPEA bylaws, one-third of the director’s seats are up for election annually, one in each of LPEA’s four districts.

Director candidates must be cooperative member/owners and be permanent residents of the district for which they are seeking office. Completed election petitions must contain 15 or more signatures from co-op members in a candidate’s district.

Ballots will be mailed to LPEA’s full membership on Aug. 22, and the results tallied during the LPEA Annual Meeting, set for Saturday, Sept. 13, at Bayfield High School.

Candidate packets contain additional election information and instructions, including copies of LPEA’s bylaws and board policies. Further information is available from Jeannie Bennett, 382-3505, or on the Web, www.lpea.coop.

LPEA, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative established in 1939, provides to its nearly 30,000 members with more than 40,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible.

For additional information, contact LPEA at 247-5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.