Douglas County endorses inclusion in Denver Regional Economic Development District

On Sept. 23 the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the county’s inclusion in the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) Economic Development District (EDD). The endorsement supports DRCOG’s application for designation by the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

DJ Beckwith, Planning Resources, explained that a DRCOG designation as an Economic Development District would make the region eligible for EDA grant funding and technical assistance to support local jurisdictions, outreach and implementation of a regional comprehensive economic-development strategy.

A commissioner who led regional steering work earlier praised the federal funding opportunity as a complement to local and metro economic development efforts and said the region had an application accepted by federal reviewers. The motion to adopt the resolution was moved, seconded and carried unanimously.

Commissioners said EDA designation would expand technical assistance opportunities to smaller and more remote communities in the region and would augment, not replace, local economic development corporation efforts.