The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has allocated $780,000 to support 13 projects in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program. The funding is intended to help these areas diversify their economies and strengthen local resilience.
“Colorado is proud of our economy and especially the role that our rural communities play in driving it forward. These grants are investments in our rural economies and will support small businesses across Colorado,” said Governor Jared Polis.
“The REDI program demonstrates DOLA’s commitment to Colorado rural communities,” said Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs. “From childcare to main street revitalization, this vital funding helps communities attract investment, encourage entrepreneurship, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for rural Coloradans.”
Among the awarded projects is the City of Alamosa’s Little Learners Early Care and Learning Center, which received $134,030 for workforce infrastructure improvements aimed at training early childhood professionals. Saguache County was granted $15,000 for its Civics Lab “Launchpad,” a program providing paid internships to high school students with a goal of increasing enrollment in technical education programs.
In Northwest Colorado, the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado secured $62,470 for equipment supporting geothermal drilling services. The Town of Lyons will use $16,500 to create a maker space and retail incubator for artisans and entrepreneurs.
Sterling’s Retread Expansion Phase 3 project received $100,000 to expand tire recycling operations that benefit not only Colorado but also Kansas and Nebraska by reducing landfill waste and creating new jobs. Morgan County was awarded $87,000 to renovate its Innovation Center as a hub for business training and networking.
Other funded initiatives include business assistance programs in Eagle ($100,000), outreach efforts by the San Luis Valley Council of Governments ($25,000), downtown revitalization in Victor ($50,000), an agricultural marketplace in Custer County ($100,000), a hotel feasibility study in Akron ($15,000), community space improvements in Elbert County ($25,000), and infrastructure planning in Kiowa County ($50,000).
These projects aim to address workforce development needs, support small businesses, revitalize commercial districts, enhance local agriculture markets, study new hospitality opportunities, improve community spaces for diverse uses such as recreation or culture events—and coordinate regional strategies related to infrastructure challenges brought on by energy sector growth.
