DCED is please to have worked with two businesses were recently approved for incentives by the City of Delta and Delta County. 

The Delta City Council approved an incentive package for DIP Co., a Delta-based manufacturing company based in Delta's Industrial Park.  They are the first business approved under the City of Delta's new Incentive Policy  DIP Co. has expanded their facility by 5850 square feet and will be expanding into the offset printing industry. DIP Co will be adding 1 full-time and 1 part-time employee with this expansion.  Read more about this in the Delta County Independent.

The Delta County Board of County Commissioners have approved incentive for MITI Manufacturing who will be relocating from Grand Junction to Delta, CO. MITI has recently bought the old ISI Building on Hwy 348.  In order to receive the incentives MITI must add five additional full-time employees to their new location.

If you are a business looking to expand or locate in Delta County, please contact DCED for more information on state and local incentives.

On April 27, DCED held its Annual Membership Meeting at Orchard City Town Hall. Over 65 members and guests attended to hear DCED highlights and updates. Members approved the FY18 budget and voted in three new board members and renewed Brad Harding.  DCED is pleased to welcome our new board members:

Cheryl Hines

Cheryl is a 4th generation resident of Delta County who was raised on a family peach and apple orchard in Delta County.   Cheryl and her husband Randy operate a multigenerational farm in Delta County.  The Hines are Independent Sales Reps for DuPont Pioneer Hi-bred and Certified Crop Advisors going on 34 years.  Cheryl and Randy raised two sons and have 2 daughter-in-law’s and 3 grandsons.  Cheryl has always been active in her community and church.

Cheryl had this to say about economic development and agriculture, “I believe economic development is important to Delta County if we want to sustain a self-sufficient, healthy community while maintaining the quality of life that we enjoy so much.  My passion is agriculture.  To be able to have sustainable agriculture in Delta County so that it is a viable option for future generations.” 

Paul Larmer

Paul is the executive director and publisher of High Country News, an award-winning non-profit news organization that covers the American West and is based in Paonia, Colorado, where he and his family have lived since 1992. At HCN, Paul is responsible for managing 25 employees and a $3 million dollar budget for a 20-member board of directors. He and his wife, Lisa Cook, raised two children, Zoe and Zachary, who attended the Paonia and Hotchkiss schools and participated in numerous sports and 4-H programs. Paul holds a Master’s Degree in Natural Resource Policy from the University of Michigan, and is deeply interested in how government, private industry and non-profits can work together to create vibrant rural economies.

“The primary reason I want to join DCED is to give something back to the community that has nurtured my family for the last 25 years. It would be an honor to work with DCED on projects that build on Delta County's incredible assets to create a more vibrant community.  I would bring a deep understanding of communication work in the non-profit realm to help DCED establish itself more firmly in the minds of Delta County citizens as a force for good.  I also bring extensive fundraising experience and it would be rewarding to help grow DCED.” 

Darnell Place-Wise

Darnell is the Executive Director of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce; Darnell’s ties to community of the Delta run deep, having grown up in Delta, “I want nothing but success for our area; whatever I can do to help ensure that, I am raising my hand to help make that happen!” Darnell said recently. “This is where we are choosing to raise our daughter; I’d like to help bring Delta County back to that which I remember growing up, where every single store front had a vibrant business behind it.  My role as Executive Director at the Chamber is complimentary to Delta County Economic Development’s mission; it makes sense to create that continuity; I am excited about the potential!”

Darnell has extensive experience in business development having worked in the professional development arena. For over 10 years Darnell worked as a Business Development Consultant for Lore International Institute; a Korn/Ferry Company, a professional development organization providing executive education, executive coaching, and consulting solutions to organizations worldwide. In her role Darnell was responsible for seeking out, developing, and maintaining client relationships, acting as a thought leader with and for the client organization, and managing all aspects of client deliverables. Such deliverables included business development, project management, and service, in industries such as Engineering & Construction, Oil & Gas, Information Technology, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Telecommunications, and Food & Agriculture.  

Delta County Economic Development will host its 21st Annual Meeting on Thursday April 20, 2017 at the Orchard City Town Hall.  The event will begin at 5 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers.  The meeting will be called to order at 6 p.m.

During the meeting the board will announce the results of the election of directors. The mail ballot by voting members is currently underway.  Brad Harding (First Colorado National Bank), incumbent is seeking to be re-elected to a three year term.  Cheryl Hines (Area Farmer), Jere Lowe (Earth Friendly Supply, Co), Paul Larmer (High Country News), and Darnell Place-Wise (Delta Area Chamber of Commerce), are seeking first terms on the DCED Board of Directors.  The ballot also provides for write-in candidates.

Brad Harding

Brad was born and raised in Paonia, CO and is a fifth generation resident of Delta County.  He married a Cedaredge native andhave two young daughters (10 and 7 years-old) who are sixth-generation Delta County girls.  College took him to the Front Range, first to the Colorado School of Mines and then to Colorado State University, where he graduated with a B.S. in Fisheries Biology.  His career in Fisheries Biology was short-lived as his entrepreneurial side took over.  He  ran a diversified financial services office for 7 years in the Denver Tech Center, then moved to Aspen, CO and worked as the Vice President of the Commercial Banking Department For US Bank.  In 2007, Brad was fortunate to be a member of the ownership group that purchased The First National Bank of Paonia-Delta.  The bank was renamed, First Colorado National Bank, and he currently serve as President and Board Secretary.  He is also the President of the Delta County Economic Development Board of Directors (since 2008) and serve as a Board Member of Delta Montrose Electric Association and Elevate Fiber.  “I am absolutely thrilled with the events that have brought me back home!  My wife and I consider ourselves very lucky to call Delta County home.”

Cheryl Hines

Cheryl is a 4th generation resident of Delta County who was raised on a family peach and apple orchard in Delta County.   Cheryl and her husband Randy operate a multigenerational farm in Delta County.  The Hines are Independent Sales Reps for DuPont Pioneer Hi-bred and Certified Crop Advisors going on 34 years.  Cheryl and Randy raised two sons and have 2 daughter-in-law’s and 3 grandsons.  Cheryl has always been active in her community and church.

Cheryl had this to say about economic development and agriculture, “I believe economic development is important to Delta County if we want to sustain a self-sufficient, healthy community while maintaining the quality of life that we enjoy so much.  My passion is agriculture.  To be able to have sustainable agriculture in Delta County so that it is a viable option for future generations.” 

Paul Larmer

Paul is the executive director and publisher of High Country News, an award-winning non-profit news organization that covers the American West and is based in Paonia, Colorado, where he and his family have lived since 1992. At HCN, Paul is responsible for managing 25 employees and a $3 million dollar budget for a 20-member board of directors. He and his wife, Lisa Cook, raised two children, Zoe and Zachary, who attended the Paonia and Hotchkiss schools and participated in numerous sports and 4-H programs. Paul holds a Master’s Degree in Natural Resource Policy from the University of Michigan, and is deeply interested in how government, private industry and non-profits can work together to create vibrant rural economies.

“The primary reason I want to join DCED is to give something back to the community that has nurtured my family for the last 25 years. It would be an honor to work with DCED on projects that build on Delta County's incredible assets to create a more vibrant community.  I would bring a deep understanding of communication work in the non-profit realm to help DCED establish itself more firmly in the minds of Delta County citizens as a force for good.  I also bring extensive fundraising experience and it would be rewarding to help grow DCED.” 

Jere Lowe

Jere is a Colorado Native born at Fitzsimmons Army Base in 1972 and raised in the Denver Metro area.  Jere moved to Boulder right after high school and spent the next 17+ years in Boulder County.  While there, Jere gained experience working at all levels of business working for Kroger, and then GE.  

Jere was a top performer at these organizations.  In addition to the many positions he held and special projects he oversaw for the company, he was in retail and corporate management during his years at the Kroger Companies.  During his tenure at GE he was GEITD’s Rookie of the year in 1999 and then participated in many Six Sigma and Green/Black Belt special projects for which he was recruited as a development consultant.  

In September 2005 on a trip to Telluride, Jere discovered Paonia and the North Fork Valley. He purchased his place in Paonia in March of 2006 and launched Earth Friendly Farms ltd soon thereafter.  Jere and his wife Stacy were married in June of 2006.  In early 2008 Jere relocated full time to Paonia and the NF Valley.  The economy was already crashing and Jere learned quickly how bad the economy was in Delta County and how hard it was to make a living as a first time farmer. Daughter Lily was born later that year.  After struggling for a few years to just keep their heads above water, Jere and Stacy started the family business now known as Earth Friend Supply Company ltd.  Today Earth Friendly Supply Company offers Colorado’s widest selection of organic growing inputs, hard goods and consulting services and has become a great success that pulls in customers from all over Colorado and beyond.

Darnell Place-Wise

Darnell is the Executive Director of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce; Darnell’s ties to community of the Delta run deep, having grown up in Delta, “I want nothing but success for our area; whatever I can do to help ensure that, I am raising my hand to help make that happen!” Darnell said recently. “This is where we are choosing to raise our daughter; I’d like to help bring Delta County back to that which I remember growing up, where every single store front had a vibrant business behind it.  My role as Executive Director at the Chamber is complimentary to Delta County Economic Development’s mission; it makes sense to create that continuity; I am excited about the potential!”

Darnell has extensive experience in business development having worked in the professional development arena. For over 10 years Darnell worked as a Business Development Consultant for Lore International Institute; a Korn/Ferry Company, a professional development organization providing executive education, executive coaching, and consulting solutions to organizations worldwide. In her role Darnell was responsible for seeking out, developing, and maintaining client relationships, acting as a thought leader with and for the client organization, and managing all aspects of client deliverables. Such deliverables included business development, project management, and service, in industries such as Engineering & Construction, Oil & Gas, Information Technology, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Telecommunications, and Food & Agriculture.  

In an effort to support the launch and growth of new firms and innovation, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) created several programs and incentives to assist companies in their development, one of which is the Colorado Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant.  

Over 40 million dollars in grants has been awarded since the beginning of the program in 2013, 20.751 million in 84 awards were granted in FY2016.  This amount includes funding in several different programs; Proof of Concept, Early Stage Capital Retention, Infrastructure and Export.  2-3 million will be available for this round. Applications for Proof of Concept and Early Stage Capital Retention are open now and are due by 5:00 PM on 3/1/17.  Read more here.

Delta County Board of County Commissioners voted to opt Delta County in to the C-PACE program.  See: http://www.cpace.com/  C-PACE stands for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy. Delta businesses (commercial, industrial, agricultural, government & nonprofit) can take advantage of long-term financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy installations, and water conservation projects with no upfront costs.C-PACE allows building owners to finance qualifying energy efficiency and clean energy improvements through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill. Property owners pay for the improvements over time through this additional charge on their property tax bill, and the repayment obligation transfers automatically to the next owner if the property is sold. Capital provided under the C-PACE program is secured by a lien on the property, so low-interest capital can be raised from the private sector.  This program will open up new opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy assessment and planning work in Delta County. Stay tuned for more info on this program.

A Delta County team representing business and government leaders, was selected to attend the Community Builders Leadership Institute in Durango, CO from November 2 - 4, 2016.  The Community Builders Leadership Institute (CBLI) is a training for leaders who recognize that the economic landscape has changed, but remain committed to building stronger, more successful communities in spite of current challenges.

Over two and a half days, the CBLI engages community teams of six to eight participants in an intensive workshop that builds leadership and practical understanding of ways to align community planning and economic development in today’s economy.

Working with dynamic trainers and facilitators, teams will gain practical knowledge on the nuts and bolts of building stronger communities. Participants will leave the CBLI with a better understanding of ways to align community planning and economic development, lessons learned from successful projects, and a clear plan of action for next steps in their community.

 This training will help participating community leaders understand:

• The role of sound community planning and design in reaching economic development goals.
  
• Trends and issues that are impacting economies in western communities.
  
• Specific action steps that communities can take for long-term success.
  
• Community cost savings that can be realized by improving land-use planning, transportation and building practices.
  
• Effective public and private partnerships to leverage community goals.
  

• Conduct research via interviews and surveys in the community to uncover insights (new businesses, young professionals, older professionals, why people left, why you came to Delta County to do business, small insights…”intercepts” at that moment – dig deeper of what motivated them)
• Create positioning statement built on research
• Brainstorm, review, refine brand promise
• Report back to DCI and OEDIT by mid-January (who is target audience, what are outcomes, competitive set who is it, positioning statement and brand promise.)
• Feb 15 – finalize brand promise and kick off a marketing plan
• March/April – draft of marketing plan

On October 3, 2016, Solar Energy International presented the next step in their economic revitalization vision to the Delta County Commissioners: Colorado C-PACE.   PACE, which stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy, is an innovative financing model that enables building owners to fund 100% of the cost of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements.  Owners repay the cost of eligible improvements through an assessment on their property tax bills.  The Governor’s Colorado Energy Office launched Colorado’s commercial PACE program, Colorado C-PACE in December 2015.  Colorado C-PACE funding can help commercial properties pay not only for clean energy but also new heating and cooling systems, lighting improvements, water pumps, insulation and  other building improvements.  

Owners repay the cost of eligible improvements over a period of up to 20 years through an additional charge (“assessment”) on their property tax bill.  The resulting energy savings typically outweigh the annual assessment payment, thereby enabling cash flow positive projects.  Because the assessment is tied to the property, the repayment obligation automatically transfer to the next owner if the property is sold. PACE financing provides property owners a number of other benefits including: 100% financing, no out-of-pocket expense, long term loan (up to 20 years), lower energy costs, cash flow positive projects, no personal guarantees, competitive rates and terms, and the owner retains all tax incentives. 

Following its launch in December of 2015, Colorado C-PACE has seen five counties pass resolutions to participate in the program thereby enabling commercial property owners in their jurisdictions the opportunity to pursue PACE financing.  The five counties participating in the program to date are:  Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, and Eagle.  Eight additional counties are currently considering to opt-in to the program and are expected to opt into the program by the end of the calendar year 2016.

Colorado C-PACE offers exciting business and economic opportunities to local partners involved in PACE projects.  For example, counties who have opted into the program will see an increase in property value and conditions among participating buildings located in their jurisdictions.  On the lending side, the open finance model of the program allows lenders, including local and regional banks, the opportunity to expand their lending services by securely investing in energy and water improvement projects.  Finally, the local contractor and developer community can utilize PACE to generate additional projects, thus creating jobs and stimulating economic development. 

C-PACE is a substantial economic development tool that spurs capital investment in all types of commercial real estate.  It can have a catalytic impact across multiple sectors stimulating opportunity for contractors, engineers, and design firms.  Approximately 19% of Colorado’s energy is consumed by commercial buildings. 

“Opting-in to C-PACE in Delta County opens the opportunity to increase businesses’ property value, save substantial money on their energy bills, while generating large local investments, both in our tax base and our infrastructure” stated DCED board member and local business owner, Tom Huerkamp.  The trickle down effect of C-PACE may include increased hiring of roofers, plumbers, and general contractors to keep up with project demand. 

The Board of County Commissioners requested more information before making a decision.  SEI is gathering information to respond to those questions.

By John Gavan

Over the past few months there has been much discussion about the declining coal industry across our nation, including right here in western Colorado. Luckily, Delta County is pursuing proactive and forward looking solutions. 

While the local coal industry has declined over the past few years in Delta County due to global market forces and the cheap price of natural gas, positive economic activity has been playing out behind the scenes. Delta County remains an important agricultural center with the highest concentration of organic farms in the state. Our produce fuels farmers’ markets from Aspen and Telluride to Denver and our wines from the West Elks American Viticulture Area, one of just two such regions in the state, continue to win awards and improve with each passing year.

In a forward looking step, the board of directors of the Delta Montrose Electric Association voted unanimously to launch a project to bring gigabit rate fiber optic internet service to each of its 30,000 members in Delta and Montrose counties. This action will put Delta County at the forefront of communities across the country adopting high speed broadband as a critical enabler of economic development.  

It is no secret that Delta County possesses stunning natural beauty, unrivaled access to outdoor recreation, and a hospitable climate. These attributes continue to attract people seeking a slower pace and higher quality of life than that which they can find in bustling urban centers. 

Coal mining has been part of our community for more than a century. Transitioning from a boom-and-bust, extraction based-economy to one that is based on a wider variety of sectors will take time, and it will be challenging. But fortunately, many in Delta County have brought the conversations taking place across the Western Slope to the next level, working to proactively strengthen our economy and hopefully to make it possible for former miners who want to stay in the community to be able to stay. For example, in the next 10 years it’s entirely possible for us to generate 50 percent of our energy locally through solar, macro and micro hydro, and coal-bed methane capture from the coal mines.  This is such an incredible opportunity for our community.

One thing is certain: Delta County will change as it transitions economically, however, I am very confident that the underpinnings being put in place today are helping to build a strong foundation that will make a more economically diverse Delta County a shining star on the Western Slope.

**Originally printed in the Grand Junction Sentinel on June 12, 2016

John Gavan is an IT professional who has worked for the U.S. Navy, NASA, and private companies.  He serves on the board of directors for Delta County Economic Development, Delta Montrose Electric Association, Solar Energy International and Tri-State Generation and Transmission.  He lives with his wife Chris near Paonia.

The Solarize Delta County Team will host a Solar Cocktail Hour at CB’s Tavern in Delta on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  This social event is a great way to meet the installers from Empowered Energy Systems and volunteer program coordinators of Solar Energy International as well as Delta County Economic Development to learn how you can “go solar” and make your own local energy.  Short presentations about the program will be held at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm to discuss the process and the tiered rebate structure that increases savings as more neighbors sign contracts to install PV systems.  

Whether the motivation is energy independence, reducing carbon footprint, or plain economic sense, more residents and businesses in Delta County are flipping the switch to produce their own affordable, solar energy, thanks to Solarize Delta County.  Currently 125 people have signed up for the free no obligation remote site assessment.  In order to take advantage of the tiered rebate structure as well as the technical assistance guiding you through the process, your remote site assessment will need to be completed by July 15, 2016. 

Solarize Delta County is an effort led by Solar Energy International (SEI) to increase the accessibility and affordability of solar energy for all Delta County residents. With the support of the Delta County Economic Development (DCED), Solarize Delta County seeks to raise local awareness of solar, lower the cost of solar electric (PV) systems, and significantly ramp up adoption of PV throughout Delta County. 

Additional information can be found at www.solarenergy.org/solarize-delta- county/ or by calling SEI program coordinators at 970-527-7657 x 213.