Working with Businesses through the Challenges of 2020 and Beyond
The Estes Park Economic Development Corporation (Estes Park EDC) recognizes the challenges that local businesses have faced over the past several months. Business closures due to Stay at Home orders, reopening of businesses with restrictions, further restrictions, closure of businesses due to wildfire evacuations, reopening of businesses, continually rising COVID cases, lack of consumer confidence in health safety and lack of visitation have left no business unaffected. Throughout, we have worked with business owners, stakeholders, Town, County, State, and Federal partners to identify resources and strengthen programs and services to address these challenges.
Working with Estes Valley businesses to assist in their immediate and long-term recovery needs is always our first priority. Working directly with business owners on applying for and receiving SBA PPP and EIDL Loans resulting in $30.5 million for the Estes Valley and administering $300,000 in Business Relief Funds are just a few examples of the work we’ve accomplished.
The Estes Park EDC also continues to expand its Entrepreneurial Center (E-Center) Business Accelerator Services of Estes (BASE) program which offers significant value to our start-up and scale-up community. Our 2020 BASE Program includes ten businesses who participate in a six month training program focused on markets specific to their business. Through this program, we have assisted in creating five new businesses, two business pivots, two new product lines, two nonprofits and ten new jobs. Furthermore, B.A.S.E program participants have seen increases in revenues, and in some cases a $70,000 jump in year to year revenue, even during 2020. The E-Center BASE program is accepting new applications in January 2021.
In addition, our monthly E-Center Meet-Up recently offered entrepreneurs an opportunity to network and discuss IT infrastructure and our upcoming Meet-Up will focus on what businesses strive to accomplish, honing in on purpose, vision and values. For more information on either the BASE Program or the monthly E-Center Meet-Up, contact Thomas Cox at tcox@estesparkedc.com.
One of our best tools to identify the needs of our businesses is business impact surveys and direct conversations with our businesses. It’s only through identification of business needs that we can find and offer the necessary resources. The Estes Park EDC has sent out over half a dozen business surveys since March and has had over 5,000 conversations with business owners during that same time period. Our most recent survey was to measure the business impact of the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fires on our businesses. “It’s only through this type of data, that we can show our local, regional, state and federal authorities that we need help,” said Adam Shake, Estes Park EDC President and CEO. “We’re hoping that by showing a need, higher authorities will issue Disaster Declarations which free up disaster loans and grants.
As part of our work with the larger Estes Valley Community, we have been an integral part of the Estes Valley Recovery Collaborative. Working with the likes of the Town of Estes Park, The Chamber and Visit Estes Park, the EDC has worked towards providing economic recovery and resilience throughout 2020. Examples of the work are leading the Fall and Winter Task Force designed to extend the patio seasons of restaurants which has culminated in the award of a $50,000 grant, starting the process of finding food delivery services for the Estes Valley and creating the shop safe and local messaging.
If you would like to schedule a conversation with Estes Park EDC President/CEO Adam Shake to discuss how the EDC may be able to assist you during these challenging times, please reach out to him at ashake@estesparkedc.com.