In his State of the State address, Governor Polis outlined his vision for Colorado and how to address housing challenges.

The Business Funding & Incentives Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that Morgan County has been designated as a Rural Jump-Start Zone. This designation is intended to encourage economic development and job creation by offering new businesses or businesses that move to these zones significant financial benefits.

Today, the Colorado Venture Capital Authority (VCA) and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that the VCA has renewed its partnership with Greater Colorado Venture Fund (GCVF) to expand access to venture capital for Colorado entrepreneurs and startup businesses. The VCA has committed $11,175,000 to GCVF, which has a proven track record of funding Colorado companies and creating jobs in the state’s rural communities.

The Office of Just Transition (OJT), within the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment, and the Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) are partnering to provide Coal Transition Community Grants to communities whose economies have traditionally relied on the coal industry. These grants are intended to support regional economic and workforce development activities that expand local business, create new good-paying jobs, and create more diversified and strong local economies.

The Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP), announced today by Governor Polis and the Business Funding & Incentives Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), introduces new funding opportunities to support the development and expansion of Colorado’s innovative housing manufacturing businesses. Based on the understanding that strong economic development includes job creation and the development of attainable housing, IHIP will foster both across Colorado.

Governor Polis and the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) formally announced today that Agilent, an American life sciences company, has selected Frederick, Colorado in Weld County for expansion. Agilent is a global leader in life science research, patient diagnostics and testing that ensures the safety of water, food and pharmaceuticals. By expanding in Colorado, the company will help advance a bioscience and life sciences sector that is among the best in the nation.

Today, the Colorado Venture Capital Authority (VCA), and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that the VCA has partnered with New Community Transformation Fund-Denver (NCTF-Denver) to expand more equitable access to venture capital for Colorado entrepreneurs and startup businesses. The VCA has committed $5 million to NCTF-Denver in the first closing round for the fund, which is the first Colorado-based venture capital firm that is Black-owned and Black woman-led.

This morning at a meeting of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Governor Polis and the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that Virta Health, a health technology company and leader in type 2 diabetes reversal, has selected Colorado for its new headquarters. Under the Polis administration, Colorado has secured many new business headquarters that will create good-paying jobs for Coloradans.