Economic development discusions atract large audience at Clear Crek-Gilpin counties event
County, in-
cluding Rol-
linsville. The
Better City
consultant
reported that
more than a
third of resi-
dents work
from home
sometimes,
so better in-
ternet service
is vital to
them.
Continued from page 1
Longtime Clear Creek resident Kelly Flen-
niken, chair of the CCECC, said she was pleased
about the turnout from those who work in the
two counties and wanted to hear the various
reports presented during the session. “A lot of
us believe that a good quality of life depends on
a good, quality job,” she told the audience.
“Why does economic development mean in
a small rural community and why should you
care?” asked Flenniken. “I can tell you that it
matters in all communities because it’s a series
of different programs, policies or initiatives
that seek to improve that economic well-being
in that community. We want to build a diverse
tax base and don’t want to be overly reliant on
one industry. We need to think about how to
build our community and have more quality
employment. We need to think about how we
can have quality housing and employment, plus
a robust education system. All of these pieces
are connected.”
According
to Englund,
another
item that
could attract
more people
to visit is
the national
forests in the
county. “Trail access is a big thing. It’s amaz-
ing how many little trails come out from Rol-
linsville. One of the problems is that there isn’t
enough parking, and many of the trails aren’t
marked. If you can get people to come and stay
an extra day, that would be good if they came
up to spend more time on the trails.”
Capacity crowd at CCEDC Rural Resilience event.
Photos by Don Ireland
Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey said he didn’t
know much about the CCEDC before he at-
tended the Rural Resilience event. “It was a
great networking opportunity, and I was actu-
ally impressed by the turnout,” he said. “I was
a little bit embarrassed that – until recently –
that I didn’t know much about them. Lyndsey
Valdez, their president, gave a short presenta-
tion at our council meeting recently. However, I
didn’t realize that they were available in Gilpin
County. I’ve actually gone to their website to
learn about the process
of what it takes to apply
for a loan.”
Counties. Since 1985, the CCEDC has provided
over $8 million in business loans, which has
leveraged approximately $17.5 million in area
investments. The goal of the loan program is to
support business retention and expansion, and
new job growth within Region 3.
Wilkins said a large part of Clear Creek’s
economy comes from mining and tourism.
One idea being considered for the county is an
increase in sales taxes,
which could help fund ad-
ditional tourism-related
projects. However, “some
people don’t want to see
more growth in the com-
munity,” he commented.
“Summers are crazy in
Clear Creek County, and
there are people who
don’t want more traffic.”
Rears joked, “Prior to
2019, Gilpin County’s
economic strategy was
to build another casino.
During the pandemic,
the county laid off
about one-third of its
staff. We realized we
really needed to diver-
sify our economy.” Fol-
lowing the pandemic,
Gilpin received a grant,
which it used to hire
Better City, a consulting
organization that helps
communities develop
plans for their futures
in the U.S. and other
countries.
Among the ideas dis-
cussed are special events
or festivals during the
off-season months, which
could bring in more tour-
ism revenue. Wilkins said
fishing or hockey tour-
naments at Georgetown
Lake are possibilities. It
is also possible a “round-
up program” could be
considered, where shop-
pers would be asked to round up their purchase
price receipt to the next dollar – with the dif-
ference used to pave roads or pay for additional
events.
Ray Rears Gilpin County manager.
Englund of Better
City commented that Black Hawk has begun
adding additional attractions to bring in tour-
ists not interested in gaming for an extra day.
He said Gilpin would like those visitors to ex-
pand their stay by offering other items. Increas-
ing the number of businesses in Rollinsville and
developing more information about available
trails and historical places in the county could
help leaders and businesses accomplish that
goal.
Wilkins said the creation of a proposed
parking garage and the Argo Gondola ride in
Idaho Springs are ideas that – if developed –
could help increase tourism. He noted the hot
springs and a gondola in Glenwood Springs
have helped bring visitors to that section of the
mountains.
Central City Heritage West Realty owner Roy
Varela joins Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey at
the Idaho Springs Economic Mixer event.
“Central City is in a different situation,” noted
Englund. “They have a larger population and
room to expand [along the Central City Park-
way]. Then there is Rollinsville, where busi-
nesses there would like it to be a true destina-
tion. We had 24 people show up for a meeting
there by people who want to change the com-
munity themselves. They’re working together
and using their own money. They’re trying to
figure out a way to make Rollinsville a true des-
tination. Parking is a big issue. This is a work in
process but there’s a lot of good things going on
there.”
While most people at the CCEDC event were
from the Clear Creek area, it attracted several
people from Gilpin County and Rears and Fey.
Gilpin County Commissioner Marie
Mornis, Boyle, Black Hawk busi-
nessman Eddie Miller and a few
Rollinsville business owners also
turned out. Another Gilpin com-
missioner, Susan Berumen, sits on
the loan committee for the CCEDC.
Photo by Bob Sweeney
PRECISE REPAIR, GENUINE CARE
Keep your home safe
with concrete repair
On Friday, elected officials and
leaders from both counties met to
discuss what they heard on Thurs-
day night and shared ideas on
what future opportunities could be
considered.
Englund said installing broadband would
help those who work and live in Gilpin County,
a project currently being developed by the
county government and its partners. Gilpin
Grant Manager Jamie Boyle said Maverix
Broadband received a $6.78 million grant to
expand broadband service in northern Gilpin
Worrying about your uneven or cracked
concrete can make owning a home very
stressful. By investing in concrete repair,
you can fix your driveway, walkways, patio,
and more in one easy lift.
The CCEDC administers the
Region 3 Business Loan Program
(BLF) for Clear Creek and Gilpin
GET A FREE ESTIMATE
877-422-1375
