Governor Polis convened Fort Morgan and Eastern Plains businesses and local leaders to hear about challenges and discuss opportunities to make the state’s economy even more competitive. This conversation included Eve Lieberman, the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the Morgan County Economic Development Corporation, the Economic Development Council of Colorado, small business owners and local leaders. This conversation is one of a series across the state to develop a plan to make Colorado the number one state for small businesses and increase Colorado’s competitiveness.
“Today I heard from local business leaders about opportunities for the state to collaborate with the business sector to strengthen our economy, attract more businesses to Colorado, and make us even more competitive. Colorado is the best place to start and grow a business, and that includes our commitment to strengthen what works, and take every opportunity to make Colorado an even better place to do business. Colorado’s high quality of life, entrepreneurial spirit, and highly skilled workforce make us a hub of economic innovation, and these conversations bring together a range of perspectives and ideas on how to make our economy even stronger,” said Governor Polis.
This conversation brought together local leaders for a discussion about challenges and opportunities to make Colorado more competitive. Between 2019 and 2025, 143 new businesses and expansions in Colorado created more than 42,000 new jobs and $4.8 billion in wages because of OEDIT’s business attraction efforts.
“Colorado’s incredible workforce, advanced and growing industries, and spirit of collaboration have long bolstered our economy. Increased national and global competition call for increasingly adaptable strategies to protect our state’s competitive position, and we are seeking input from business leaders and communities across the state. We want to hear from businesses of every sector, every scale and every region of Colorado, including our rural communities, so we can identify shared priorities and respond to regional differences. Today’s input from our Morgan County partners is an essential part of that work,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.
In the last six years, OEDIT’s Rural Jump Start initiative has supported eleven businesses across the Eastern Plains, including in Morgan County. This initiative supports local businesses to grow and expand, creating new jobs and supporting the local economy. Businesses include BHV Adventures in Lincoln County, a company creating luxury tiny homes, TC modular in Phillips County, a modular home construction company, Hammer Lane Truck Wash in Brush, and many more.