NWCDC & NCIC 2026 Annual Meeting

October 26, 2026

Heidi Binko, JTF CEO & Co-Founder

When: Monday, November 9, 2026

Where: Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion |750 East 4th Street, Craig, CO

Time: 5:30 PM –Networking Reception; 6:30 PM – Dinner & Program

Register Today: 

 

CRAIG, CO — October 26, 2026 The Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) and Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC) welcome nationally recognized economic transition leader Heidi Binko, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Just Transition Fund, as the keynote speaker for their 2026 Annual Meeting on Monday, November 9, at the Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Craig. NWCDC and its fiscal agent, nonprofit NCIC, provide regional economic development services to nine communities in the Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties.

The annual gathering will bring together business and community leaders, elected officials, and local, regional, state, and federal partners to celebrate economic development accomplishments and discuss opportunities shaping Northwest Colorado's future. The program will highlight business attraction and expansion projects, workforce development initiatives, entrepreneurship, success stories, and strategic investments designed to diversify the regional economy and create sustainable jobs. Past Annual Meetings have attracted more than 100 attendees from across three counties.

"Northwest Colorado is at a pivotal moment as our communities work together to diversify the economy, support existing businesses, and create new opportunities for our workforce," said Beth Cascaddan, NCIC Executive Director. "We're honored to welcome Heidi Binko, whose national leadership and experience working with coal-impacted communities will provide valuable insights as we continue building a stronger economic future for our region."

Binko brings more than two decades of experience addressing the energy transition with a career dedicated to helping coal-impacted communities build resilient, diversified economies. Under her leadership, the organization has pioneered a national model for helping rural and underserved communities overcome barriers to access federal funding.

JTF’s groundbreaking model helped 67% of coal transition communities across 31 states leverage $2.6 billion in public funding to support projects that create tangible economic impacts. JTF is a key funding partner for NWCDC and NCIC, helping the organization build capacity to secure more than $28.5 million in state, philanthropic, and federal funding for economic development projects throughout the tri-county region.

Before co-founding the Just Transition Fund, Binko served as Associate Director for Special Climate Initiatives at the Rockefeller Family Fund and Executive Director of the WestWind Foundation. A sought-after speaker, Binko has presented at the White House, Aspen Ideas, Climate Week, and other national forums. She holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Notre Dame and was recognized by Google in 2023 as one of six influential women in climate change.

The annual meeting will also showcase the progress of NWCDC and NCIC's regional economic development initiatives, including the following successes:

  • Project pipeline that includes 27 economic development projects that could generate $4.6 billion in capital investment and 977 new jobs
  • Business Retention, Expansion and Entrepreneurship Program (BR&EE) that assisted 95 entrepreneurs and small business owners year-to-date in starting and growing their businesses.
  • Northwest Catalyst Capital revolving loan fund that funded two local businesses in 2026
  • Workforce development program that created a new registered apprenticeship in HVAC
  • Development of a 10,190-square-foot highly flexible workforce and entrepreneurial training facility at the Craig Business and Industrial Park

Thank you to our event sponsor, Jupiter Power, and our event partner, Craig Chamber of Commerce. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Register online: https://NWColoradoAnnualMeeting.eventbrite.com

About Northwest Colorado Development Council and Northwest Colorado Innovation Center

The Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) is an intergovernmental agreement between nine communities in the tri-county region of Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties to collaborate and advance regional economic development. NWCDC is the parent organization of the Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC), a 501(c)(3) regional economic development organization serving the tri-county region. NCIC fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, economic prosperity, and diversification through sustainable, community-led development. Learn more at www.northwestcolorado.org