Cedaredge CED assessment...
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By Marie Patchen
Mountain Valley News staff

     The team of professionals was led by Samuel J. Susuras, the state’s business development representative for 18 western Colorado counties who has participated in more than 60 community assessments since 2000.
     Susuras’ team members included Deana Sheriff, executive director for Delta Area Development, Inc., who is dedicated to improving the economy of Delta County and has worked successfully in recruiting businesses that are well-suited to area communities; Kelli Hepler, tourism coordinator for Delta County Tourism, who works with groups to develop products and marketing tools that promote regional tourism and whose innovative projects have won various awards; and Jim Kidd, director of the state’s Small Business Development Center for Colorado’s west-central region and a resident of Cedaredge, who has received various awards for his achievements in the business sector.

     Cedaredge was selected for participation in the program as the result of an application presented to the state Office of Economic Development in December of last year by Sickles. The Cedaredge Business Support Group directed the application for the assessment based on the primary concern that the town does not have a viable tax base.
     More than 50 percent of the community’s tax base is residential, with the business tax base accounting for a small fraction of the total tax base. According to information provided by Kidd, a viable community should have a larger commercial tax base than a residential tax base, which explains why the town has limited funds to make improvements.
     "Our initial thoughts were what could we do as a group to encourage new businesses?" said Eileen Liles, member of the Cedaredge Business Support Group, which formed in 2007. Realizing that the town did not have the resources to commit to economic development, the group sought outside help through the CED Assessment Program.
     Once the town was selected for the program, the local support group focused on three main areas of concern in economic development. These areas were the focus of the assessment program.
     Kidd covered the topic of business and downtown development, while Kelli Hepler discussed tourism development, facilities, amenities and services to the community. Deana Sheriff directed a third session, which dealt with infrastructure.
     "Cedaredge needs to learn how to be a viable community," stressed Kidd as he posed the question: "What does the town of Cedaredge want to be when it ‘grows up’?"

     One "real" threat that his session unearthed was the lack of vacant land available in the business district for new businesses, making it hard for business growth. Compounding the issue is that annexing needs to be encouraged, and until recently, the town did not have a policy regarding annexation of land. Annexing is the addition of land to the town from adjoining areas, in the interest of having more space for businesses and industries to grow.
     "Annexing is going to help sustain Cedaredge, but it is not going to be a popular decision," said Sheriff as the team presented its draft of the assessment report.
     For the near future, however, she encouraged residents to take advantage of grant writing to come up with funds the community lacks to complete projects, and encouraged utilization of the town’s dedicated volunteer base.
     Suggestions were also presented as to how the town can capitalize on the strong sense of community by involving local groups and organizations in helping to clean up the appearance of the town. A business alliance between the existing businesses on Main Street and Highway 65 was recommended to create a unified effort to spruce up appearances in the interest of drawing more people in to shop.
     Additionally, it was recommended Cedaredge go through a branding process and develop a marketing plan to take advantage of the numerous recreational opportunities its location have to offer.
     "The process (of community economic development) is sometimes really painful, and keeping your eye on the outcome is important," Sheriff said.
     The strong community turnout and participation in the event has Sickles optimistic, however.
     "When you have a community willing to support the first part, the second part becomes less difficult," she said.
     A copy of the CED Assessment Report is available to the public at Town Hall, or call (970) 856-3123.

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