Regional development agency outlines loans, housing and weatherization programs; board sets recruitment timeline and agrees to draft economic priorities

The Grand County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board on Sept. 24 received a presentation from the Southeastern Regional Development Agency (SIRDA) on regional economic programs, discussed using local revolving loan funds and state Community Development Block Grant resources for housing needs, and voted to set candidate deadlines and to develop principles and priorities for county economic development.

SIRDA executive director Jerry Gamber described the agency as a regional planning and development organization that partners with the U.S. Economic Development Administration and local governments. "We consider you all our bosses, and you let us know how we can best help," Gamber told the board, outlining SIRDA's role providing planning, grant-writing support and other technical assistance to small towns and counties.

Corinne Olsen, SIRDA community development program manager and manager of SIRDA's revolving loan fund (RLF) for the region, said the RLF provides gap financing for businesses and that the program includes a local loan cap. "There is a cap of a $150,000 up for the revolving loan fund, that you can apply for," Olsen said. She said the Grand County–specific pot of RLF money and a wider regional pool both exist; the county's dedicated pot can be drawn on for local applicants. Olsen described the RLF as a flexible lender intended not to compete with banks but to provide financing when private lenders will…