The Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD) has launched a new program, “Scale Up Your Business with SCEDD.”
Interested participants can apply for the program through the SCEDD website (www.scedd.com). Applications will be accepted until 5pm on January 3, 2025.
“This unique opportunity provides small business owners with essential training and resources to establish their business and develop their customer base, ensuring future success,” said Leslie Mastroianni, Executive Director of the Southern Colorado Economic Development District. We will prepare ourselves for this.”
During the two-year program, participants join a regional small business incubator program and access business development resources such as support, education, virtual workshops, and networking and mentoring opportunities. Scaling up your business will include in-person and virtual programming.
“Our two (in-person) sites will be somewhere in Chaffee County and then probably somewhere in Lamar or Prowers County,” Mastroianni said. “We feel like we’re reaching every corner of a vast region.”
Anyone can apply, regardless of what county they live in. Scale Up Your Business is funded by a Rural Business Development Grant.
“Our focus is on existing businesses that are working on the status quo,” Mastroianni said. “Now it’s like, ‘Okay, I need more help with this.’ … That’s the missing gap.”
The program allows business owners to leverage real-time experience to assess the market, strengthen their business plans, and build competitive advantage.
“I think we’re going to continue after our initial debut,” Mastroianni said. “Some of our local businesses are happy to share what they know and what they have experienced with these new businesses.”
For more information, contact Mastroianni at leslie@scedd.com or 815-238-3929.
“Slots are limited,” Mastroianni said. “This allows us to serve businesses the best we can and provide them with the personalized attention they deserve.”
SCEDD supports economic development efforts in 13 southern Colorado counties: Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Crowley, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Kiowa, Lake, Las Animas, Otero, Pueblo, and Prowers.
