DEL NORTE— During their monthly meeting, Upper Rio Grande Economic Development (URGED)took a moment to reflect on the past three years since the organization’s inception and to look at a preliminary plan for the next three years. The group met at the Windsor Hotel in Del Norte on the morning of June 13. URGED President Tom Acre opened the meeting and asked for approval of the previous meeting’s minutes which were accepted.
Jumping right in to business, Acre turned the floor over to co-founder Marty Asplin who took a moment to review the focus of the group over the last three years. Asplin and his wife Bonnie began the group in 2014 to help jumpstart a conversation on what local officials and community leaders could do to help stimulate the economy. The group has since grown and become a 501(c)(3) organization with a budget that is used to help stabilize projects that will help the Valley’s economy.
One of the largest projects to date is the Valley-wide code of ethics. According to Asplin, the code of ethics is coming along nicely having been signed by almost all of the communities along the Highway 160 corridor. Asplin reported that Moffat has recently signed on and the group is continuing efforts to get the southern region of the Valley on board. Some communities were under the impression that the effort was focused on only the communities along Highway 160 and the group is adamant on letting people know that is not the case.
The document basically states that the agreement between these communities will set a series of policies to help manage economic partnerships and development. For example, the communities that agree to enter into the code will do so with an “inherent amount of trust.” The document continues to state that those who sign into the agreement are committed to the promotion of the region as a whole and will present it as a desirable business location and a family destination.
Though this is only the beginning of the policies and guidelines, the document continues to outline how the region can promote economic stability by working together as a whole with the result of bringing people to the area to stay. The code also coincides with efforts recently put forth by Adams State University President Dr. Beverlee McClure who has been traveling to Valley communities in hopes of finding a solution to the ever-decreasing amount of graduating students that remain local.
Once the code of ethics in in place, the council will begin to work on the many ideas that have been presented by members, including a region-wide marketing plan and how they can bring younger people to the area through either business or other avenues of opportunity. One of the main concerns that tops the list is how to fill the vacant buildings that reside in the entire region from Monte Vista to Creede.
Now, looking to the future URGED wants to put their efforts into play and focus on bringing younger people to the area to stay as well as help local businesses succeed. The draft proposal submitted by Asplin stated that the group should begin by creating an appealing environment where businesses can survive. “People are focusing on place-making. They are working backwards now by choosing a place to live and then finding work within those places. We should work on creating a successful, appealing environment to bring people and businesses here to the Valley,” said Asplin.
Next, the group would like to focus on helping existing businesses by getting them to acknowledge the roadblocks that are in their way to success. “We need to get the business owners to say, ‘this is what is standing in my way’ and then help them come up with solutions to the issue,” continued Asplin. In addition to acknowledging roadblocks, Asplin suggested also working with area youth in local high schools and colleges to get business owners and students connected for intern-like programs.
“Business owners need to understand that sometimes they will not get the graduate with a master’s degree and will need to be willing to train an intern,” said Asplin. Asplin suggested the group focus on getting youth involved in entry level positions within Valley businesses to help encourage them to remain locally as well as help make those businesses successful.
The group agreed on the future plan for the next three years, stating that they would continue to add to it before it was approved by the board. Asplin stated that he hoped to have the three-year plan finished in the near future and would continue efforts to have the rest of the communities in the Valley sign the code of ethics.