North Fork Valley Creative Coalition receives $75,000 in state support

Colorado approved $75,000 to support the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition, which manages the Paonia Creative District and plans year-round programming, artist and vendor support, public events and a new downtown co-working space.

Colorado is providing support to the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition, the organization that manages the Paonia Creative District and champions arts and culture across several Western Slope towns. The state announced the Colorado Economic Development Commission approved $75,000, with involvement from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's Office of Just Transition. The coalition represents more than 150 artists, small businesses and nonprofit organizations from communities such as Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford. Leaders say the funding will support year-round programming, artist and vendor support, public events and business development. Key details: - The Colorado Economic Development Commission approved $75,000 to the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition. - State agencies involved include OEDIT and the CDLE Office of Just Transition; the Paonia Creative District is certified by Colorado Creative Industries (CCI). - The coalition reports more than 150 member artists, small businesses and nonprofit organizations across the region. - The coalition estimates that hiring a full-time executive director could expand support to about 120 additional creative businesses and nonprofit organizations, plus roughly 150 local vendors and 40 regional musicians over the next three years. - Planned work includes opening a co-working and business development space in downtown Paonia this year to act as a local innovation hub. Summary: The $75,000 grant is intended to bolster arts and creative businesses across the North Fork Valley by supporting programming, events and business development. The coalition plans to increase capacity by hiring a full-time executive director and opening a downtown co-working and business development space this year. State officials noted arts and culture's economic contribution to Colorado when announcing the award.