Governor Polis to participate in Opportunity Zone Event to Promote Investment in Early Childhood Education

DENVER -- Governor Polis will join a virtual Opportunity Zone investment event on Thursday, January 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to explore how Opportunity Zones can be investment catalysts for Colorado’s early childhood education needs. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the critical need for early childhood education in Colorado’s communities, particularly for those in low-income and rural areas. Opportunity Zones have opened up new pathways for communities to take advantage of private investment to support local and regional economic development. Early childhood educational institutions can  incorporate OZ investment into their business plans  to help facilitate their growth.

This 1.5 hour event features several speakers, including: 
 
Economic Innovation Group (EIG) – Learn about EIG’s research into the need for early childhood education in OZs across the country, as well as potential solutions they've identified as a means for addressing this need.
 
Four Points Funding (4PF) – 4PF will discuss their investment in apartment housing with attached childcare facilities, and how this serves as an example for how to use OZ dollars to expand childcare access.
 
Evans Early Childhood in Fort Morgan, CO – Rosie Evans, Owner and Director of Evans Early Childhood, participated in an OZ Capital Accelerator Program participants. She'll speak about her experience with OZCAP and the work she's doing to expand early childcare opportunities to Morgan County.
 
Bridgecare – Jamee Herbert, CEO & Co-founder, will discuss Bridgecare’s white-label child care data and community management platform doing the work around Colorado (including OZs) to expand access to ECE.

“Colorado continues to support creative ways to leverage private capital for collective economic benefit,” said Mike Landess, Opportunity Zone Program Director at OEDIT. ”The OZ Program provides access to capital for early childhood education facilities that might not otherwise be able to complete their capital stack in the process of setting up their businesses. Early childhood education is a critical part of economic development, and economic developers and community stakeholders should include the OZ Program in their strategic development plans.” 

Those interested in attending the OZ Investment in Early Childhood Education event may register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opportunity-zone-investment-in-early-childhood-education-tickets-138317305785. This no-cost event is being provided courtesy of Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.