This EDA investment supports huerfano county with establishing a POP-up retail business incubator program with maker components to support new and early-stage retail businesses in walsenburg, colorado

This $846,800 Project Grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's Economic Adjustment Assistance program supports the County of Huerfano, Colorado in establishing a pop-up retail business incubator and maker program in Walsenburg, Colorado. The incubator will offer selected participants business development services, access to a fabrication workspace, and an online marketplace to launch and test physical and online retail concepts from idea through business launch. Upon completion, the program aims to boost emerging business opportunities and attract private investment to advance economic resiliency and diversification in the region. The award was issued on August 30, 2022 to support this initiative.

The project will offer business development services, access to a fabrication workspace, and an online marketplace for participants to establish physical and online retail spaces to launch and test their businesses. The incubator program will feature a competitive application process and provide expertise and training to participants through consultants and partners to nurture concepts from idea stage through business launch. Once completed, the project will help boost emerging business opportunities in the area, which will help advance economic resiliency, attract private investment, and further economic diversification throughout the region.