RFPs and Proposals

Northwest Colorado Innovation Center Request for Proposals

Business Retention, Expansion, and Entrepreneurial Services

 

Proposals Due: 10/16/26
Questions and submissions by email: Beth@northwestcolorado.org and Christine@northwestcolorado.org

To read the full RFP, download the PDF

BACKGROUND

Northwest Colorado is a rural tri-county region, undergoing coal transition. The region’s two coal-fired power plants and four coal mines will close over the next 4 years. Subsequently, the tri-county region will lose up to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and nearly 22% of its regional GDP. To address this devastating economic disruption, the Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC), an intergovernmental agreement with nine counties and municipalities, developed a transition strategic plan and established the Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC), a 501c3 rural development hub serving Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt County, Colorado communities.

PURPOSE

NCIC seeks proposals from a qualified BR&EE Specialist (independent contractor) or consulting firm to provide Business Retention, Expansion, and Entrepreneurship (BR&EE) services throughout Moffat, Rio Blanco, and portions of Routt counties. NCIC’s Business Retention, Expansion, and Entrepreneurship (BR&EE) program is a proactive economic development strategy focused on growing existing local businesses and supporting entrepreneurs. Its goals are to help companies stay competitive, prevent them from leaving the area, and encourage local growth rather than only attracting new outside businesses.

The BR&EE specialist will proactively meet in-person and virtually with local businesses and entrepreneurs to connect them to resources, financing, workforce and incentive programs, and provide business coaching, marketing, digital skills, entrepreneurial training, and other related services. This is a hybrid role with both in-person and virtual delivery of services. This program is provided in partnership with NCIC’s parent organization, the Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC).

This solicitation is for contracted professional services only and is not a staff or employee position. The selected BR&EE Specialist will perform services pursuant to an independent contractor agreement and approved Scope of Work and work plan. The goal of the BR&EE program is to strengthen existing businesses, identify expansion and retention opportunities, connect businesses with resources and training, and provide NCIC with timely information regarding regional economic conditions.

To read the full RFP, download the PDF