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Regional EDD briefs commissioners: SEDS update, $28M in broadband projects and small‑business supports for Chaffee County
Summary
Tracy Gutierrez of the Southern Colorado Economic Development District described the SEDS planning process due to EDA in 2026, $28M in broadband funding to bring fiber to about 3,700 locations (with $7.8M private match) and a small‑business Scale Up program and planned Chaffee County resource fair in September.
Tracy Gutierrez, senior program manager at the Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCED), briefed Chaffee County commissioners on regional economic planning, broadband infrastructure projects and small‑business and workforce programs.
Gutierrez said SCED is preparing a comprehensive economic development strategy (SEDS) required by the U.S. Economic Development Administration; the next SEDS is due in 2026 and SCED will start stakeholder meetings in Chaffee County in June or July. Gutierrez asked county officials to help identify representatives for the regional committee and to host local stakeholder meetings.
On broadband, Gutierrez said SCED’s regional blueprint led to $28,000,000 in broadband infrastructure funding from Colorado’s capital project program, enhanced by about $7,800,000 in private investment. When completed in 2026, SCED expects fiber broadband to reach roughly 3,700 locations in five counties, with ten additional projects pending state approval in several eastern counties.
Gutierrez summarized small‑business work: SCED ran a $1,000,000 SBA Community Navigator program during the pandemic recovery period and is following up with a Scale Up program offering one‑on‑one support and webinars; SCED plans a Chaffee County business resource fair in September and will coordinate with local partners, including the county’s regional grant navigator.
Gutierrez said SCED is also pursuing a regional workforce training initiative focused on broadband construction, technology and related job placement, coordinating with state offices and community college partners. She said outcomes from a recent Opportunity Now Regional Summit will inform funding applications and program design.
Ending
Gutierrez asked commissioners to support outreach for the SEDS process, identify potential committee members and help publicize the September business resource fair and other SCED services to local businesses and workforce partners.
