Estes Park EDC Receives International Economic Development Council Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award
The Estes Park EDC recently received notification of an International Silver Award for Excellence in Economic Development. The award, from the International Economic Development Council in Washington, DC was in recognition of the program entitled “Mountain Strong – Estes Valley Business Retention & Expansion.
Jim Pickering, Estes Park EDC Board Chairman stated that the award is in recognition of the hard work and dedication that Staff and Board Members gave in response to the devastating floods in 2013. The Estes Park EDC worked in cooperation with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Larimer Small Business Development Center to help secure 2.2M dollars in direct grants for Estes Valley area businesses through the Recover Colorado Disaster Relief Fund.
Jon Nicholas, Estes Park EDC President and CEO stated that in addition to direct financial relief to businesses themselves, the businesses retained 283 full-time and 449 part-time jobs, thereby reinvesting much of that money back into the local economy.
Adam Shake, Estes Park EDC Director of Communications and Business Development stated that this award is a reflection of the Estes Valley community as a whole. It’s not only the hard work of the Estes Park EDC and its Board of Directors that gained the international recognition for this award, but the tireless service and dedication of its community as well.
The award application reflected the successful efforts of others as well, such as the United Way of Larimer County and the community-wide “Mountain Strong” fundraising efforts for Crossroads Ministries. “Our community-wide efforts have earned this recognition,” said Jon Nicholas.