Rural Development

Those traveling through Grand Junction and the surrounding area in the next few weeks may run into some not-so-native creatures. The feature film production of Extraction is underway in the Grand Mesa.

Extraction is an action-driven horror film about an elite squad of soldiers who must extract a vaccine from a quarantine zone inhabited by deadly creatures. Filming starts August 1 with both student filmmakers and veterans supplementing a professional cast and crew. 

DENVER, June 10, 2021 -- The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) have announced 16 regional teams, representing 169 rural communities, as participants in the Colorado Rural Resiliency and Recovery Roadmap program.

DENVER -- The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) partnered with state legislators to pass 12 bills that will infuse $228 million into Colorado’s economic recovery efforts. 

In early 2020, Pax8, a homegrown cloud distribution technology company based in Greenwood Village, Colorado, developed an initiative that would expand its workforce to rural areas of Colorado. The goal was to create a positive social impact in the state while also growing the company's diversity. By increasing its recruiting efforts outside of Denver, Pax8 hoped to attract people with different backgrounds and experiences, driving the progression of Pax8's diversity-driven culture.

DENVER -- Colorado’s western slope offers limitless outdoor adventure opportunities, and a new partnership among national, state and local entities, including the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is addressing accessibility barriers. The Glenwood Springs Gear Library provides free outdoor gear and additional information to help remove barriers to participation. 

DENVER -- The percentage of remote workers is expected to double this year, and more than two-thirds of employers expect remote work to be a permanent part of their staffing plans.

Colorado was awarded two CARES Act Recovery Assistance planning grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support Colorado’s economic recovery, including tourism, from the impacts of COVID-19.

The two programs are outlined below to help our partners identify which programs are relevant for their communities. Communities are eligible to participate in both programs.

Statewide Team including OEDIT to help rural economies and businesses recover from economic impacts of COVID-19

This article first appeared in the Grand Junction Sentinel on March 14, 2021. 

The COVID-19 pandemic not only presented a public health crisis, but also highlighted the inequities of access to broadband for those who live and work in rural parts of the state. Remote workers, students, and companies pivoting to work-from-home models all depend on internet access and the need for statewide broadband was brought sharply into focus.

Fading West Development is building a new 110,000 square foot home construction factory in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley with the mission of providing attainable housing throughout the western United States and increasing employment in Chaffee County Colorado. 

When fully operational, the production facility is expected to create over 700 homes, townhomes and apartments each year, addressing the nationwide housing shortage while creating more than 100 well-paying jobs in the Buena Vista community.