AURORA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recognized the Aurora-South Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as this year’s winner of the SBDC Excellence and Innovation Center award. The center is being recognized for its pivotal role in driving economic growth in Colorado and fostering the spirit, support and success of the state’s entrepreneurs and innovators.

DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Business Funding & Incentives division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced 11 Community Business Preservation grants to support community businesses and retain jobs across the state. These grants will be paired with training and consultation for 58 unique, independently-owned small businesses in Colorado that are culturally, socially, or historically significant and serve their communities in meaningful ways.

A close look at the Rural Jump-Start program and the firsts that it inspires

Supporting and growing small businesses across Colorado

Today, Governor Polis and the Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) announced Coal Transition Community funding to establish a Northwest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) satellite office in northwest Colorado. The new office will serve Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt counties, supporting the creation and growth of small businesses as local communities look to diversify their economies and create new jobs.

Today, Governor Polis and the Business Support division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that 40 grants have been awarded to small businesses in Colorado through the Small Business Accelerated Growth Program. These $8,000 grants will help small business owners across the state, from Arapahoe County to Chaffee County, identify and reach their target markets to increase sales and grow profits.

The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), announced today that Hannah Krieger has been named State Director of the SBDC Network. This position is instrumental in supporting small businesses throughout the state as they start, grow, create quality jobs and contribute to the fabrics of their communities.

Benefitting women-, minority-, and Veteran-owned businesses across the state

Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, has long been celebrated in communities across Colorado and commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and declared that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free. Despite the Emancipation Proclamation having been issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, many enslavers continued to hold enslaved people captive.

Pride Month rolls around each June to remind us to celebrate the significant accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ individuals and the work we have ahead to support Colorado's LGBTQIA+ communities. According to the 2021 Colorado Health Access Survey, about 7.8% of Coloradans 18 years and older identify as LGBTQIA+.