On Wednesday, Jan. 29 there will be a one-hour training at the Cortez City Hall for small-business owners to learn about grants and other opportunities.
While the training is geared toward those with an established business, “startups, brand new businesses, and persons considering starting a business in Cortez may be interested in learning about these various programs,” said Helen West, Cortez’s community and economic development specialist.
Programs they’ll go over include the Business Beautification Grant, which West said they’ve seen “increased interest in.” Plus, the city is slightly altering the application process for that grant.
They’ll also discuss eligibility requirements and application processes for things like the Sidewalk Cost Share, 81321 Launch and a new graffiti cleanup grant, West said.
West said she plans to “briefly mention” state programs like the Enterprise Business Tax Credit and State Historical Tax Credits for commercial properties.
Such conversations will be brief, since the city doesn’t administer state programs.
“I am happy to help connect businesses with the right people and walk them through some of those processes for applying,” West said.
The training is put on by the city of Cortez and Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, and will start at 2 p.m. People are also able to attend remotely, via Zoom, so long as they register on the Cortez city website by noon on Wednesday.
A recording of the meeting will be available, too, upon request, as “We recognize business owners are busy and might not be able to attend a middle of the day meeting,” West said.
If you’re a business owner with specific questions, reach out to Helen West at hwest@cortezco.gov or (970) 331-0213.
“I might not know the answer but part of my job is helping connect businesses with someone who does,” she said.
