OEDIT Names 2020 Rural Technical Assistance Program Recipients

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) selected the 2020 Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) awardees. RTAP is a series of technical assistance initiatives designed to enhance rural economic development strategies across the state. The program links state partnerships and specialized resources to address the economic development goals of rural Colorado. 

A team of industry experts, in partnership with OEDIT, determines the annual award recipients. Communities are evaluated on multiple community criteria, including alignment of economic development goals, the potential for success and impact, evidence of previous success in community-driven efforts and demonstration of similar work and subject-matter familiarity.

The RTAP program, formerly known as the Colorado Blueprint 2.0, launched as a way to serve rural communities’ economic needs around the state and identify opportunities to leverage the state’s resources. Each year, this program actively supports the economic development activities of dozens of rural communities throughout Colorado.  

2020 RTAP Winners

Certified Small Business Community (CSBC) 

A Colorado SBDC network offering that will assist rural communities who want to take their entrepreneurship promotion and retention to the next level and be a standard bearer for the State. Selected communities will receive a designation of a CSBC to promote a great place to work, live and play. 

• Town of Hayden
• Southern Ute Indian Tribe 
• City of Woodland Park 

Creativity Lab 

Designed for community leaders who want practical insights into both the process and elements involved in marshalling creative forces to transform and engage communities. 

• La Veta
• Ignacio

Grow Your Outdoor Recreation Industry 

Partnership with University of Colorado-Boulder’s masters of the environment (MENV) and MBA programs that assigns a project team to each community in order to better understand their resources, strengths and weaknesses. The result is the identification of industry opportunities and assistance in positioning each community in the marketplace to improve reach and impact. 

• Main Street Central City 
• Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association 

Film Festival Production

To plan and organize a niche festival in their region. Organize a kickoff workshop with Colorado film festival experts and provide consultation to determine how regional interests may be parlayed into a successful, annual event. 

• Huerfano County Economic Development 
• Logan County Economic Development 

Craft Studio 201

Peer-assistance training program that provides customized support for communities or regions wishing to advance a specific tourism-related goal or strategy. 

• Grand County 
• Moffat County 
• City of La Junta
• City of Brighton 
• Town of Palisade

Coworking 101

Partnership with Proximity Space and Startup Colorado in a two-phase initiative to both provide communities with a comprehensive overview of co-working as both a business and community asset, as well as work to identify end-users. 

• The Garage – Hugo 
• WXSW – Pagosa Springs 

Community Placemaking 

In partnership with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and Community Builders, engaging the community by identifying local assets, providing instruction on the fundamentals of developing a sense of place, and developing a cohesive vision and strategy based on community assets. 

• City of Fountain 
• Ignacio 

About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, OEDIT offers a host of programs and services tailored to support business development at every level including business retention services, business relocation services, and business funding and incentives.Learn more at www.choosecolorado.com.