Economic Viability
DESIRED OUTCOMES & RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
RESOURCES
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Desired outcome
We will nurture and promote a regional, diverse, and sustainable economy, fostering a range of industries, employment, and resources and resulting in a variety of products and services. This will be provided by resources, initiatives for businesses, land use options, and transportation.
Possible interest groups/stewards
Economic development councils; chambers; organizations such as Yampa Valley Partners; MainStreet Steamboat; Routt County Livability Index; schools
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| Recommended actions |
Timeframe |
- Increase broad-band capacity through public private partnerships.
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short term to mid term |
- Ensure county-wide cell-phone coverage.
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short term |
- Pursue new technology, new industry sectors (e.g. location neutral businesses such as software programming, financial services, bio-tech industries), new energy economy (bio-fuels, waste to energy, etc.) in order to develop a diverse economy.
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mid term |
- Provide economic education that includes economic trending, research and bringing new information from the region’s businesses.
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short term |
- Continue to provide vocational training on a regional basis.
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short term |
- Advocate for workforce attraction and retention including workforce housing, international workers, and more.
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short and mid term |
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VISION 2020 TO REALITY
Vision 2020 recommended:
Support development of telecommunications infrastructure.
In 2003, the “Beanpole Project” was formed by the Yampa Valley Economic Development Council. The Beanpole Project was part of a state-funded technology initiative to bring high-speed Internet access to every county seat in the state, and then spread the connection to public facilities such as government buildings, schools and libraries.
INITIATIVES FOR BUSINESSES
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Possible interest groups/stewards
Colleges such as Colorado Mountain College; organizations such as Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
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| Recommended actions |
Timeframe |
- Fund Small Business Resource Center long-term.
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mid term |
- Create local incubator program.
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mid term |
- Create a micro-loan fund and access to capital.
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mid term |
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LAND USE OPTIONS
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Possible interest groups/stewards
Colleges such as Colorado Mountain College; planning schools
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| Recommended actions |
Timeframe |
- Implement entrepreneurial advocacy and seek adaptive zoning that enables entrepreneurial activities.
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short term |
- Create enterprise zones and industrial parks to encourage economic development and office space availability.
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short term |
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TRANSPORTATION
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Possible interest groups/stewards
Organizations such as the Transportation Solutions Group; Yampa Valley Airport Commission; County/City Government; Chambers; Cultural Heritage Tourism
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| Recommended actions |
Timeframe |
- Develop railhead access for large-scale transport.
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mid term |
- Form regional transportation authority to provide and maintain transportation infrastructure and opportunities.
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short term |
- Enhance all-season, all-weather air access to ensure commuting, tourism and business activities.
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ongoing |
- Investigate options for high speed rail for regional and state-wide transit and movement of workforce within the region.
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long term |
- Emphasize ease of access for urban areas.
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ongoing |
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