Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI) is honored to announce that we will partner again to bring business support to rural communities through a Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). DCI’s approach with this work will strengthen regional small rural business networks throughout the state. The focus of this project is to work with Tiny Towns (towns with populations less than 2,000) and their regional networks to expand regional networks through the following areas of support: (1) Building Stronger Public-Private Partnerships (2) Marketing + Communication Training (3) Exploring Ownership Models (4) Exploring Grants + Funding for Business.
DCI’s Small Rural Business Support program aims to support existing efforts for local and regional community economic development goals. “Small Businesses are often those unique culturally, socially, and/or historically significant businesses in the community that the locals have grown up with and consider part of the community. Small local businesses are foundational to the core of the community and when they fail, it is a loss to the community at large as well as the business owner. DCI is pleased to leverage funds from USDA Rural Development to bolster support for small businesses in rural Colorado. We look forward to expanding local networks and adding training for these businesses and the organizations that support them.” said Katherine Correll, Executive Director for Downtown Colorado, Inc.
The Small Rural Business Support program aims to specifically support the Tiny Towns of Blanca, Kersey, Mancos, New Raymer, Victor, San Luis, Yampa and surrounding small rural communities in those regions. The services will include facilitated discussions, identifying meaningful resources, and building the partnerships that will provide expertise, access to capital, and establish the necessary policies. If your community or business is interested in getting involved this program, email outreach@downtowncoloradoinc.org. DCI will also be holding a virtual kick-off meeting September 24 at 9 AM. Register here!
“USDA Rural Development is pleased to partner with Downtown Colorado, Inc. to provide training and network building to assist businesses in Tiny Towns. USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses, and we are pleased to be able to assist with this process in rural Colorado,” said Crestina M. Martinez, USDA Rural Development Colorado State Director.
DCI’s Small Rural Business Support Program is partnering with Outgrow Your Garage to teach entrepreneurs the skills they need for their business while connecting them to additional local resources. The goal of this work is to create a robust and sustainable business community ecosystem in participating communities. Outgrow Your Garage has a focus on building materials and programming the communities can adapt to their needs and that will support their businesses for at least 5 years.
DCI serves small and rural communities throughout the state and in 2022, started a program called Tiny Towns to bring together leaders and Doers from towns with less than 2,000 population. Downtown Colorado, Inc. hosts discussions monthly for Tiny Town leaders covering topics ranging from small town businesses that thrive, to managing grants, and considering public private partnerships. These discussions provide time for Tiny Towns leaders to share resources, build relationships, and find solutions. If you would like to join the Tiny Town dialogue, or receive more information about the upcoming programming from our Rural Business Development Grant, please email Kylie Brown at outreach@downtowncoloradoinc.org.
Downtown Colorado welcomes all partners and all media contacts to join us as we talk about business opportunities and expand efforts for business connections at our kick-off meeting September 24th at 9 AM! Register here!