A planning grant totaling more than $80,000 was recently awarded to the Southern Colorado Economic Development District for creating jobs in Southern Colorado.
The economic development group serves 13 counties in Southern Colorado. Although the organization applies for the grant every year, it also reassesses the needs of the region every five years.
Executive Director Edie McLish says this is one of those years, and they're creating a strategic plan on how to effectively use the funds.
"The counties come up with projects that they would like to see accomplished, and with that we put together an action plan to help them bringing in new industry and creating jobs," says McLish.
McLish also says they work with a large area in Southern Colorado, and these grants allow them to get out into small rural communities.
The new strategic plan is expected by December.
