Denver -- The Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, will announce tomorrow the first Colorado Community Revitalization Grant award has been designated for Ridgway’s Space to Create project.
The grant was established in Senate Bill 21-252, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg and Minority Leader Chris Holbert and signed into law by Governor Jared Polis.
"We're delighted to provide a Community Revitalization Grant for the Ridgway Space to Create project. This is an outstanding example of leveraging multiple sources of funding to bring a project across the finish line -- a project that experienced delays and cost increases due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Tim Schultz, Chair of the Council on Creative Industries. "Our sincere thanks to the Colorado legislature and Governor Polis for their support."
The announcement will be made at an event on Thursday, September 23 at 6 p.m. at the Ridgway Space to Create, 675 Clinton St.
“Now more than ever, we must strengthen rural communities like Ridgway in our state,” said Senator Don Coram in whose district Ridgway is located. “The award of this creative project will stimulate the local economy and provide a bolstered sense of community, providing much-needed workforce housing in this part of Colorado.”
Ridgway Space to Create is a new construction, mixed-use, workforce housing project in historic downtown Ridgway. It is the first project of its kind in Ouray County and will include a community amenity area on the ground floor, serving as a performance space and commercial hub.
John Clark, Ridgway’s mayor, stated, “We are so grateful for the major effort that went into getting this funding through the legislature. This project will have a major impact on Ridgway being able to keep its creative folks. Plus, the economic benefits will be substantial.”
The Community Revitalization Grant is still open, and shovel-ready, mixed-use projects that advance the creative industries are encouraged to apply.