DELTA COUNTY — Today, Governor Polis and the Business Funding & Incentives (BF&I) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Pathways Services, LLC, a Western Slope–based consulting and direct service organization that supports rural communities with evidence-based justice system solutions, has joined the Rural Jump-Start program.
“Colorado is proud to help businesses like Pathways Services that enrich communities through innovative justice service services. Rural Jump-Start empowers businesses, creates good-paying jobs and strengthens local economies across the state,” said Governor Jared Polis.
Pathways Services partners with local governments, courts and community organizations to design and implement diversion focused initiatives and skills based interventions that improve stability, accountability, and access to services.
“OEDIT’s Rural Jump-Start program supports exactly what we’re trying to build: a rural-based operation that creates jobs while delivering high impact, community centered services across multiple Western Slope counties. For Pathways Services, this approval helps us invest in the people, infrastructure, and regional relationships needed to expand supportive interventions that improve stability and reduce system strain,” said Leigh Anne Suppes, Founder of Pathways Services.
The Rural Jump-Start program encourages economic development and job creation in economically distressed, rural counties of Colorado. This funding supports regional economic and workforce development activities that seek to expand local business, create new good-paying jobs, and strengthen and diversify local economies. The company will receive $15,000 in grant funding to support the launch of its operations and eligible employees will also receive a state personal income tax exemption. Sponsoring entities like One Delta County help identify business candidates in their communities and work with each business to help ensure its success in the program and in the community.
“We are delighted to see Pathways Services grow in Delta County and look forward to the innovation they will bring to rural communities in the state. The Rural Jump-Start program is a vital tool to support the goals of local communities across Colorado, creating jobs and diversifying our economy,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.
“One Delta County is proud to have the opportunity to sponsor and assist with Pathways Services, LLC’s application for the Rural Jump-Start Program. Pathways will be providing valuable and much needed services to our area. Rural Jump-Start is a great, state sponsored incentive program which encourages new business to start-up, locate, grow and expand in rural Colorado. The program has played a part in the over $133 million financial impact One Delta County has assisted with over the last five years,” stated Greg Pope, Director of One Delta County: An Economic Alliance.
To learn more about the Rural Jump-Start program, please contact Quina Weber-Shirk at quina.webershirk@state.co.us.
About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.
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