New Executive Director Leads Northwest Colorado Innovation Center

October 12, 2026

Beth Cascaddan, J.D.

CRAIG, CO — October 12, 2026 The Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC), a nonprofit regional economic development organization, welcomes Beth Cascaddan, J.D., as its new Executive Director. Beth brings more than four decades of economic and community development experience to help diversify Northwest Colorado’s economy, strengthen local businesses, and create new employment opportunities.

“Northwest Colorado has tremendous assets—from its people and businesses to its energy, natural resources, infrastructure, and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Cascaddan. “I’m excited to work alongside our communities and local, regional, state, and federal partners to turn those assets into new opportunities, support the businesses already here, and build a more diverse and resilient economy for the future.”

Beth will help advance key initiatives, including the construction of the Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC) at the Craig Business and Industrial Park. She will also guide NCIC’s new workforce development and apprenticeship programs, grow the Northwest Catalyst Capital microlending revolving loan fund, and continue efforts to attract new private investment and jobs.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Beth’s caliber and practical rural development experience leading the region as it undergoes a significant economic transition,” said Tim Redmond, NCIC Chairman. “We have tremendous challenges and opportunities ahead of us. Beth understands rural economic development, knows how to bring partners and resources together, and has the experience to help us turn those opportunities into businesses, investment, and jobs.”

Her experience in rural and Tribal communities spans business and economic development, federal grants, workforce development, housing, infrastructure, public policy, and development finance. She has overseen more than $120 million in federal funding and participated in approximately $180 million in financing for community and economic development initiatives. A significant component of her work has been the development of regulations, ordinances, policies, and governance frameworks that promote responsible economic development while protecting the communities and resources they are designed to serve.

As Executive Director, Cascaddan will work closely with NCIC’s parent organization, Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC), an intergovernmental agreement between local governments in the three-county region of Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties. The nine voting members of the NWCDC established NCIC in 2024 as its nonprofit fiscal agent and a rural development hub. NCIC and NWCDC established a regional economic development framework designed to provide resources and services locally while leveraging the collective assets of Northwest Colorado. Current programs include supporting existing businesses and entrepreneurs through a business retention, expansion, and entrepreneurship program, developing a skilled workforce through registered apprenticeships, increasing access to capital with the Northwest Catalyst Capital, attracting new employers and investment, and helping communities respond to ongoing economic transition.

About the Northwest Colorado Innovation Center

The Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC) is a 501(c)(3) regional economic development organization serving Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties and their communities. NCIC fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, economic prosperity, and diversification through sustainable, community-led development. Through regional collaboration, small business development, business attraction, entrepreneurship, workforce training, access to capital, and community development, NCIC is working to build a diverse and resilient economy that creates opportunities and supports a high quality of life for the people of Northwest Colorado. Learn more at www.northwestcolorado.org