USING FEDERALAND STATE PROGRAMS

FOR REGIONAL

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A Little Anxiety: o Montrose County has the highest number of

unemployed people in its history (2,646).  The rate is at 13.0% for February, down from 13.1% in January because the number of people in the labor force increased slightly.

o At 11.3%, Delta County’s February unemployment rate is the second highest in at least 10 years (the highest was 11.5% in January). The number of unemployed in Delta County stands at 1,793, the second highest level in Delta County history (the highest was in January at 1,795).

o Ouray County had the highest unemployment rate in at least 10 years at 10.6% in February, and the highest number of unemployed workers in its history at 254.

o Hinsdale, Gunnison and San Miguel Counties are faring better, with February unemployment rates at 6.5%, 6.6% and 6.7% respectively.

A Little Anxiety:

o No county is economically independent

o No county can become economically stronger by trying to do things it hasn’t the resources to do or by trying to push against the economic gradient

Why is Regional Economic Development Essential?

o A county can become stronger economically by:

• Identifying what it does well and what it potentially could do well and getting better at those things

• Acknowledging what neighboring counties do well and using their expertise for mutual success

Why is Regional Economic Development Essential?

An Example: Tourism

Economic AssetsMontrose County Ouray County

Desert Scenery Alpine Scenery

Lower Cost of Living Higher Cost of Living

Much Environmentally Appropriate Space for

Development

Little Environmentally Appropriate Space for

Development

Typical Larger Town Picturesque Historic Small Towns

Tourism Workers Tourism Jobs

Black Canyon N.P. Jeeping, Hiking, Ice Climbing, Skiing, ORV-

ing, History Touring, etc.

Low Commercial Rents High Commercial Rents

Large Workforce Small Workforce

Specialization for Mutual BenefitMontrose County Ouray County

Tourist Support Tourist Attractions

Affordable Housing for workers

Custom and Historic Housing for Second

Homeowners and Business Owners

Convenience Restaurants Destination Restaurants

Inexpensive Supplies Specialty Supplies, Outfitters, Guides and

Tour Operators

Tourism Workers Tourism Jobs

In-transit Motels Destination Hotels/Motels

Big Box Stores Specialty Stores

Year-round Airport and Ground Transit

Jeep/ATV Rentals

Regional Economic Development Planning

• Region 10 has been a federally designated Economic Development District since 1972

• Every five years, Region 10 must update a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for its six counties

• Had planned to update the CEDS this spring, but the Governor’s “Bottom Up Economic Development Process intervened

A Better Approach to Economic Planning

Bottom-Up Planning Results from Six Counties(ideas from government, citizens, and business)

Economic Profile and Analysis of Each County(Assessment by an economist)

Regional Stronger Economies Together (SET)(USDA facilitated regional training and planning)

Comprehensive Economic Development Plan (CEDS)

• Coordinates efforts of all six counties• Online and updatable

Why Do This? Prevents Counties from “Competing” i.e. Working

at Cross Purposes

Adds economic data (facts) and objective analysis by an experienced economist

A regional SET application is much more likely to be successful (only two applications will be chosen in Colorado)

A regional plan will help guide individual county efforts

Participants for SET Training

Directors/owners from a broad spectrum of local businesses (2 or 3).  For example:

o Retailo Agricultureo Service and supporto Manufacturingo Tourismo Professionalo Major non-profits

Labor group leaders Economic development organization leaders Post-secondary education leaders Colorado Workforce Development leaders Directors of chambers of commerce or other associations of businesses Public officials and/or local government economic development staff.