NCBD is the newest address for construction, advanced light manufacturing, distribution, logistics and warehousing, clean tech, renewable energy, outdoor recreation companies and start-ups interested in shovel-ready, cost competitive, industrial and commercial sites. The industrial park has access to multimodel transportation: a mile from U.S. Route 40 with access to interstates 80 and 70,  less than 2 miles from a Union Pacific Railroad spur and directly across from the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN). Strategically located 25 miles from Steamboat Springs, 3 hours from Denver and within one day's travel time to nine midwestern and western U.S. states, NCBD offers 23 greenfield lots. 58 acres are in development in Phase 1 with 13 lots from approximately 2 to 5 acres.

The Town of Hayden received $5.2 million in federal grant funding from U.S. Economic Development Administration to lesson economic impacts as the Hayden Station shutters by the end of the decade. The federal government’s $5.2 million is being matched by $900,000 from the State Office of Just Transition grant and other local funding. The project is estimated to produce almost 80 jobs and about $12 million in private investment. Northwest Colorado Development Council unanimously endorsed the project and provided technical assistance and grant writing to support a trucking transportation corridor, connecting the main road through the industrial park with U.S. Route 40. Learn more.

Our work to support the agricultural sector began with four focus groups to understand the barriers that limit agricultural production and additional economic activities that would increase the bottom line for our ranching families. The feedback from ranchers and farmers led to a partnership between NWCDC, Community Ag Alliance (CAA) and Colorado State University Extension to develop a feasibility study, funded by the Just Transition Fund, a national philanthropic foundation that supports coal transition communities. The Northwest Colorado Meat Sector Feasibility Study identified the barriers, including the lack of access to meat processing, that hindered local ranchers from expanding to value-added agricultural products that they could sell directly to customers, restaurants and other institutions, like schools. The feasibility study also validated CAA’s plan to expand their retail store to support local agricultural producers in selling directly to customers, thus reaping a bigger share of the profit. 

In partnership with federal and local partners, NWCDC began working with meat processors, like Fitch Ranch Artisan Meats in Craig, to expand their meat processing plants and local ranchers and farmers to access more USDA grants and other resources to grow their agribusinesses. The new activities to support agriculture also reinvigorated the Northwest Colorado Food Coalition to begin meeting again and to work regionally to support the food sector.  

NWCDC helped the Town of Oak Creek to create a transition plan that supports the growth of major employers such as SRMC. We assisted SRMC with writing three grants: a $2.3 million Congressional Directed Spending Grant, a $307,000 Colorado Office of Just Transition and Office of Economic Development and International Trade grant; and a $1 million Department of Local Affairs EIAF grant.  The funding supports a 1500 square foot facility expansion, so SRMC can add more doctors and healthcare personnel to meet the growing demand for healthcare services. The expansion also creates 3.5 new direct jobs with high paying wages in Oak Creek and is forecasted to create another 1.3 indirect jobs and 1.9 induced jobs for a total of 6.2 new jobs. New indirect jobs are created by SRMC’s vendors from new sales. Induced jobs are created when SRMC’s new employees spend money at shops, restaurants and other retailers in the community. Not only did NWCDC fundraise for the project, we worked with SRMC to manage the project through its various phases. 

The world-class orthopedics center received a 2024 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ by Healthgrades and a 2024 Joint Replacement Excellence Award™ which reflects Pioneers Medical Center’s commitment to providing exceptional care for patients and their loved ones. To support PMS continual growth, NWCDC assisted the hospital with project management, technical assistance, and grant research and writing. 

In 2023, NWCDC helped PMC secure a $600,000 Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade grant to install a medical records system, which sets the stage for a three-year plan for expansion that will create new high-paying jobs, making Meeker the destination for orthopedic specialty care.

The IT project creates six direct new jobs, which in turn has a ripple effect through the entire local economy. The hospital’s vendors will create 31 indirect jobs, and new employees’ spending in the local community will create 2 new induced jobs for a total of $18.9M in economic impact.