NWCDC & NCIC Annual Meeting
September 24, 2025
NWCDC & NCIC Annual Meeting Highlights Economic Diversification, Entrepreneurship, and Regional Partnerships in Coal Transition Communities
Hayden, CO — The Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) and the Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC) held their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport’s second-floor conference room. The event highlighted the region’s momentum toward a more diverse and sustainable economy, showcasing success stories from across the three counties of Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco Counties.
- Harmonie House, a new healthcare startup in Craig, created 60 full-time and part-time jobs.
- Fitch Ranch Meats will create 100 new jobs with the construction of a new meat processing plant in Craig.
- High Altitude, a new geothermal drilling company in Northwest Colorado, will begin drilling in the next couple of weeks.
- Yampa Valley Regional Airport’s new Aviation Business Park is projected to attract more than 230 high-paying aviation jobs. Jupiter Power is siting a new battery storage project in Hayden, which will generate millions in tax revenue for the Town and Routt County.
- Pioneer Medical Center received a $600,000 Colorado Office of Just Transition grant to enhance its operations and create 6 full-time, high-paying jobs.
These are just a few of the success stories in the NWCDC’s project pipeline, which currently includes 27 private and public economic development projects that could generate 443 new jobs and $4.5 billion in capital investment.
“Northwest Colorado is at a turning point, and our communities are working together to diversify industries, grow entrepreneurship, and create new opportunities,” said Tim Redmond, NWCDC and NCIC Chairman. “The Annual Meeting is not only a chance to celebrate our achievements, but also to engage with the partners and innovators who are helping us shape the future.”
The public event brought together elected officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and community partners from across Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco Counties to celebrate progress and chart the region’s economic future. Hayden Mayor Ryan Banks welcomed attendees, followed by a State of the Region address by Chairman Tim Redmond, Routt County Commissioner. Senator Dylan Roberts, Senate District 8, delivered the keynote address and shared his insights on rural economic resilience, legislative initiatives, and opportunities for coal transition communities. City of Craig Mayor Chris Nichols delivered closing remarks and shared Craig’s economic progress.
The Annual Meeting also celebrated major accomplishments in Northwest Colorado, including the establishment of Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC), a 501c3 rural development hub, and a microlending revolving loan fund, Northwest Catalyst Capital. NCIC will anchor entrepreneurial, small business, workforce, and community development in Northwest Colorado. To support the new rural development hub, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation announced at the Annual Meeting a contribution of $15,000 to NCIC programs that support economic development, catalyzing business starts, expansion, and attraction to generate new jobs and tax revenue.
“AT&T is proud to collaborate with organizations like NCIC to help close the digital equity gap in Northwest Colorado and assist small businesses and entrepreneurs as they find new ways to build their businesses and livelihoods,” said LJ Godfrey, President, AT&T Colorado, Arizona, and Hawaii. “Access to connectivity is vital in helping to bridge the digital divide, and we are glad we can provide these resources to entrepreneurs, businesses, and families.”
Additionally, AT&T and Human-I-T provided NCIC with 185 refurbished laptops to distribute to small businesses and families in Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties. The laptops are being distributed to entrepreneurs, small businesses, families in need, and individuals seeking digital literacy training in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties — ensuring that residents have the technology tools they need to participate in today’s economy. This effort is part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability, and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. This includes distributing more than 1700 computers to students and their families across Colorado since 2023.
The second NWCDC & NCIC Annual Meeting is made possible through the generous support of Event Sponsor, Jupiter Power; NCIC donors, Just Transition Fund, CHFA, and AT&T; and the diligent work of NWCDC and NCIC Board of Directors, and state, regional, and local partners. We hope to rotate the event throughout the three counties. The first Annual Meeting was held in Craig.
About NWCDC
Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) is an intergovernmental agreement between Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties and their member communities, Craig, Hayden, Meeker, Oak Creek, Rangely, Steamboat Springs, and Yampa. These communities work collaboratively to diversify the regional economy and to support workforce development, affordable housing, access to child care, and regional transportation. Learn more, visit our regional website NorthwestColorado.org
About NCIC
The Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves as the region’s hub for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and workers. Through business coaching, incubation, workforce training, and its Northwest Catalyst Capital microloan fund, NCIC helps launch and grow businesses that drive regional prosperity.
About Jupiter Power
Jupiter Power is a leading energy storage infrastructure platform with extensive capabilities in trading, analytics, development, finance, operations, and construction. The company is developing approximately 12,000 MW of utility-scale energy storage projects from California to Maine. Jupiter Power is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in Houston and Chicago. For more information on Jupiter Power LLC, please visit our X, LinkedIn, or Facebook pages or visit www.jupiterpower.io.