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Assessment Programs

Community Assessments

The purpose of the Community Assessment program is simple: to provide a low-cost community evaluation in order to assist communities in realistic visioning and strategic planning as it relates to economic development. The goal of the community assessment is to provide the community with resources and contact information so that it may plan, execute and complete a locally conceived and driven economic development strategic plan.

This program has become a powerful tool for rural economic development organizations because of the partnerships between Office Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), Economic Developers’ Council of Colorado (EDCC) and Colorado Rural Development Council (CRDC).

Over the past 4 years, 14 community assessments have been conducted statewide, assisting economic development organizations in determining the next step in planning for their future. The benefits include, but are not limited too:

• Builds community consensus
• Cost efficient
• Designed and tailored specially for local community/region
• Offers outside perspective
• Objectively identifies issues and opportunism
• Ensures local input-a community voice
• Aides in recruiting volunteers for economic development
• Creates cooperation in community
• Provides community with a starting point
• Offers a follow-up support
• Raises awareness/promotes understanding of small town/rural issues and impacts
• Utilize expertise from TEAM members
• Brings creative opportunities/solutions to similar issues

Community Economic Development Follow-Up Assessments

Communities that have had a community assessment may request a follow-up assessment. Follow-up assessments provide the opportunity for the community to benchmark their accomplishments and identify technical assistance and resources needed to move forward.

To request a community assessment for your community, contact Darlene Scott at darlene.scott@state.co.us or contact the Business Development Representative who serves your area.

Branding Assessments

The branding assessment is designed to help communities achieve their objectives in branding the community. By becoming a part of the bigger picture, a community's communications can align with larger statewide initiatives. The branding team professional will team up with community leaders to assess and offer assistance in community marketing efforts.

The branding assessment program consists of a team of 2-3 members who are dispatched to conduct a full 1-2 day marketing and brand evaluation to identify perceived and actual brand image through information collected from community contacts and visitor centers, marketing opportunities and challenges, and how the brand/marketing fits into the overall economic development plan. A Community is defined as a city or town, county, region or industry sectors or cultural associations. Recommendations will be provided to each of the communities.

Assessments have already been conducted in Rangely, Colorado and Custer County.

For more information, please contact: Stefanie Dalgar, OEDIT director of communications at 303-892-3840 or sdalgar@state.co.us

Technology Assessments

The third component of the Assessment programs addresses the critical role of technology in community economic development. This assessmeent brings a team of professionals in the field to communities to evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities, and provide technical assistance and resources for future development and connectivity.

For more information, please contact: Jonita Leroy, OEDIT business development representative for communications and information technology, at 303-892-3840 or jonita.leroy@state.co.us.