Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Rural Opportunity Office The Rural Opportunity Office (ROO) supports Colorado’s rural communities, economic development offices, business support organizations, and small businesses by connecting them to relevant OEDIT and State Partner programs to work toward a resilient future. The office consists of a director and two rural opportunity representatives that directly serve Colorado's southern regions. Each representative lives within the rural region of the state that they support. The ROO is responsible for: Working in partnership with other OEDIT divisions and State Partners to coordinate rural resources Overseeing and executing the Rural Ready program Overseeing the development of an EDA-funded Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Rural Programs and Funding Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy : The Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a five year strategic roadmap for statewide economic development goals and priorities. The Statewide CEDS was informed by the regional CEDS from each of Colorado’s 14 Economic Development Districts and two Tribal Nations. The Statewide CEDS reflects priorities and goals from all corners of Colorado. The CEDS updates the State’s previous economic development strategies and related plans;, helps facilitate future applications to federal programs, and specifically address strategies for key industries, as well as disproportionately impacted groups like small and rural businesses, coal transition communities, Tribal Nations and underserved communities. Rural Exchange : The Rural Exchange quarterly meeting initiative is set up to build consistent, focused engagement with rural economic developers. Rural Ready : An online learning course developed to support Colorado professionals working in a rural economic development space. The course is meant as an introduction to key terms, common programs, and resources specific to rural economic development. Successful completion of the course comes with a $2,500 Seed Grant. Rural Strategies Lab : The Rural Strategies Lab helps rural Colorado communities build stronger local economies through education, technical assistance, and strategic planning support. Designed for community leaders, economic developers, local organizations, and regional partners, the Rural Strategies Lab provides participants with the expertise needed to move important economic development initiatives from concept to implementation. Program Connections: Connections to and navigating support for OEDIT programs like Rural Jump-Start Enterprise Zones Just Transition Community Funding and industry-specific opportunities. All Rural Programs and Funding Rural Opportunity Representative County List Name of Rural Opportunity Representative Colorado Geographical Designation Colorado Counties Wendy Stewart-Martinez Eastern Plains Rural Opportunity Representative and Yuma Wendy Stewart-Martinez Southern Colorado Rural Opportunity Representative Juan and Teller Kami Collins Western Colorado Rural Opportunity Representative Miguel, Summit and all Tier One and Tier Two Coal Transition Communities Not Applicable These are defined as urban counties and not covered by the rural opportunity office. and Jefferson Talk to Your Rural Representative

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