Economic Development Alliance

Newsline: Building a rural healthcare workforce

Louise Snodgrass — Fri, 15 May 2026 17:43:22 +0000

Sarah Tober writes: Alliance is committed to helping community access quality careers.

Workforce is a cornerstone of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance’s mission which is why we are building a rural healthcare workforce, one pathway at the time.

In this Opinion column, published in the Durango Herald on May 15, 2026 the Executive Director of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance details our latest work with building up the rural healthcare workforce through the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline.

As a nimble collaborator to our public, private and philanthropic partners, the Alliance is often found in a space that may seem out of mission. However, incubating and launching economic impact programs, conferences and projects is work the Alliance excels at leading. Through Project RUN and our local partnerships, the Alliance is committed to helping members of our community access quality careers, professional growth and long-term workforce opportunities.

Sarah ToberExecutive Director, La Plata Economic Development Alliance

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Health care is one of the most in-demand and rewarding industries in our region. From mental health to dental care, patient services to administrative support, the opportunities are broad and growing. To date, the Alliance has helped 52 people find healthcare jobs or attain health care licensures, and have grant funding through the end of this year to continue helping others find their way in the healthcare ecosystem.

Project RUN is a collaboration led by the Alliance in partnership with Fort Lewis College and the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative—funded by a 1.25M Opportunity Now Grant—providing workforce development tailored to area industry and business needs. To learn more, visit ProjectRUNco.work

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Channel 9: Project RUN training addresses water industry workforce shortage

Louise Snodgrass — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:46:26 +0000

From Channel 9 News: Free training program in Durango addresses water industry workforce shortage

In a recent news segment following the FLC News story, Channel 9 highlights Project RUN’s Fundamentals of Water Operators micro-credential. Thanks to support from our partners at Fort Lewis College @Work, Four Corners Water Center, and the City of Durango this training is offering hands-on career exploration and technical understanding of an in-demand field.

The video segment features Carolyn Cummins, Director of the Four Corners Water Center.

Project RUN is a workforce partnership between Fort Lewis College and La Plata Economic Development Alliance funded by a $1.25M Opportunity Now grant from Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

Project RUN is committed to co-designing with industry partners, driving our mission to remain for industry, by industry. Through employer collaborations we create and deploy micro-credentials designed to upskill our local, regional workforce.

Project RUN has supported nearly 150 opportunity seekers in our region with job-ready skills for careers in our region and, in addition, have supported 125 individuals further their careers in healthcare. To learn more about Project RUN visit https://ProjectRUNco.work

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Durango Herald: La Plata Economic Development Alliance advances workforce housing, child care efforts

Louise Snodgrass — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:42:14 +0000

Durango Herald Writes: La Plata Economic Development Alliance advances workforce housing, child care efforts

In a recent front-page article, the Durango Herald highlights the efforts of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance. At a City Council presentation, executive director Sarah Tober, presented recent efforts to advance affordable housing and expand childcare access.

Through strategic, data-driven economic development efforts, the Alliance is committed to strengthening La Plata County’s economy by addressing critical gaps in essential infrastructure such as housing, child care, and workforce education.

To learn more about the work of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance, you can read our 2025 Annual Report.

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2025 Annual Report

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Newsline: Alliance delivers $1M into economy

Louise Snodgrass — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:40:35 +0000

Sarah Tober writes: Alliance delivers 10x return, investing over $1M into local economy

Economic development in La Plata County can look like many things. It looks like unlocking key funding to develop attainable housing. It looks like building local business capacity by addressing the key challenges that stifle growth. It looks like strengthening workforce skills through industry-led career training and targeting gaps in our talent pipelines.

In this Opinion column, published in the Durango Herald on March 18th, 2026 the Executive Director of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance details the impact the organization has made on the local economy in 2025.

2026 is another opportunity to build a more vibrant and resilient economy. In the first few months of the year, the Alliance has launched an Economic Feasibility Study for light-industrial possibilities at the Animas Airpark, launched an Internship Funding program, and created two new industry-led microcredential supporting career development.

We welcome feedback on how we can help make our economy more prosperous and our community more resilient.The Alliance’s monthly Investor Member meeting is a forum to discuss community priorities, bringing together public, private, and philanthropic partners to shape our economic direction.

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Durango Herald: Will Animas Air Park Development Take Off?

Louise Snodgrass — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:55:42 +0000

Durango Herald Writes: Will Animas Air Park Development Finally Take Off?

In a recent front-page article, the Durango Herald covered the launch of a joint feasibility study evaluating the development potential of Animas Air Park south of Durango, Colorado. The study, supported by the La Plata Economic Development Alliance and regional partners, will analyze potential tax revenue, job creation, infrastructure needs, and economic benefits relative to county services and costs, with the goal of clarifying “what development is possible — and what it would take to make it happen.”

A major focus will be clarifying development requirements. Some owners cannot expand because their properties fall out of compliance with government standards, which can depress property values and limit business flexibility.

The study aims to compile a definitive list of requirements like access roads, turning lanes and design standards so property owners know exactly what must be met and the goal post does not keep moving, Tober said.

Infrastructure costs are another key question. Tober said analysts will examine what investments, such as a multimillion-dollar secondary road, might yield in tax base and economic activity, and whether funding should come from public sources, private sources or a combination.

Jessica BowmanDurango Herald Staff Writer

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Through strategic, data-driven economic development efforts, the Alliance is committed to strengthening and diversifying La Plata County’s economy by identifying clear, collaborative pathways for responsible growth.

To learn more about the Animas Air Park feasibility study and follow its progress, read the full Durango Herald article or connect with the Alliance for updates as the study moves toward completion this June.

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2025 Annual Report

Louise Snodgrass — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:27:12 +0000

2025 Alliance Annual Report

In 2025, the La Plata Economic Development Alliance marked 25 years of advancing a vibrant and resilient economy in La Plata County. This milestone year reflects not only longevity, but measurable results.

As the needs of our region evolve, the Alliance’s work continues to scale in both impact and complexity. In the last year alone, the Alliance deployed $1,075,395 into workforce housing, workforce development, and business capacity initiatives. Our Catalyst Fund and Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund supported 79 below-market housing units in Durango and advanced housing progress in Bayfield and Ignacio. A $2M federal award positioned Bayfield for a new early childcare center in a community with no licensed infant care. Across Region 9, Project RUN and the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline supported 49 individuals pursuing healthcare careers, with 27 accepted into certification, graduate, or licensing programs.

The 2025 Annual Report outlines the outcomes, partnerships, and investments shaping the economic trajectory of our region. Read the full report to learn more about how the Alliance is leveraging our public-private partners to shape a vibrant, resilient La Plata.

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Newsline: Growing Talent Locally

Louise Snodgrass — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:17:27 +0000

Emaliah Sawyer writes: “Build the workforce you wish you had.”

Durango’s biggest export isn’t craft beer or mountain views – it’s our young people. Every May, when graduates receive their diplomas, they often also pick up a one-way ticket out of town.

In this Opinion column, published in the Durango Herald on January 7, 2026, Emaliah Sawyer reflects on her experience interning with the La Plata Economic Development Alliance and makes a clear case for why internships and early-career opportunities are one of the most effective ways to strengthen our local workforce.

For young professionals and businesses alike, internships should be a high-return investment for all parties involved. They allow students to be trained early in industry-specific skills and businesses to “test drive” potential employees before committing to hiring. When businesses invest in the development of local talent who want to remain in our community, they ultimately reduce their onboarding costs over time. In a region where recruiting externally is expensive and often unsuccessful, growing talent from within is not just smart – it’s necessary.

Emaliah SawyerMarketing Intern, La Plata Economic Development Alliance

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At the La Plata Economic Development Alliance, strengthening our regional workforce is essential to long-term economic prosperity. We are dedicated to building strong talent pipelines that connect local people to local opportunities, support early-career growth, and help businesses develop the workforce they need to succeed.

By focusing on upskilling, career pathways, and partnerships with education and employers, the Alliance works to ensure our economy can grow from within. To learn more about our current workforce development efforts, visit projectrunco.work

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Southern Ute Drum: Project RUN Hones Leadership Skills for Tribal Employees

Louise Snodgrass — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:57:51 +0000

The Southern Ute Drum Writes: Project RUN hones leadership skills for tribal employees

In an article published December 23rd, 2025, The Southern Ute Drum highlight Project RUN and the 17 employees of the Southern Ute Permanent Fund who honed their leadership skills with Project RUN’s Leadership micro-credential training.

The La Plata Economic Alliance is proud of our collaboration with Fort Lewis College through the program Project RUN. By creating microcredentials for industry, by industry, Project RUN is able to strengthen local leadership development and expand opportunities for both employers and opportunity seekers in our region.
Project RUN’s Fundamentals of Leadership & Management 1: People is a six-week training designed to build the leadership capacity that a strong regional workforce depends on. Led by professional leadership coaches, the training helps participants clarify their leadership style, communicate with intention, support team accountability, and navigate workplace dynamics. The training has been offered three times, with the most recent taking place from October 15 to November 19, 2025. Project RUN hosted cohorts in Pagosa Springs, Ignacio, and Durango to ensure leadership development is available across the region.

Learn more by visiting Projectrunco.work

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Childcare Investment Fund launches with $50,000 local contribution

Louise Snodgrass — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 21:33:15 +0000

Childcare Investment Fund Launches with $50,000 philanthropic contribution

Michael and Elaine Moravan Foundation Challenge Public and Private Partners to Join In

The Early Childhood Council of La Plata County (ECC) has officially launched the La Plata Childcare Investment Fund with a $50,000 matching contribution from the Michael and Elaine Moravan Foundation. This philanthropic gift marks the first local contribution to the fund and will be matched with public revenues such as La Plata County’s lodging tax reallocation and the City of Durango’s discretionary lodging tax.

By combining public, private, and employer investments, the Fund aims to create 420 new childcare slots over the next three years in La Plata County. In its first year, the Fund seeks to raise $2.2 million—$1.2 million dedicated to increasing wages for early childhood educators and $800,000 to expand and stabilize childcare facilities.

The La Plata Childcare Investment Fund is a key strategy within the La Plata Childcare Strategic Investment Plan, developed by ECC and the La Plata Economic Development Alliance. The plan was shaped by input from over 300 community members, including most of the county’s licensed childcare providers, major employers, and local families.

The ECC, which has supported La Plata County’s early childcare system for nearly three decades, will administer the Fund. Since its founding, ECC has provided over $1 million in cash and $2.5 million in in-kind support to local childcare providers.

Community members are encouraged to read the full strategy and share feedback to help shape the future of childcare in La Plata County.

Learn more and provide comment at yeslpc.com/alliance-programs/childcare-strategy.

Full Press Release Read the Strategy

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2024 Annual Report

Louise Snodgrass — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 21:14:24 +0000

2024 Annual Report

In 2024, the Alliance infused $1.13M into La Plata County thanks to the strength of our public-private partnerships and the support of our Investor Members. From expanding workforce housing and launching workforce trainings to addressing childcare access and convening nearly 400 leaders at our annual Summit, the year was defined by collaboration and community-driven impact.

Our annual report shares the stories behind the stats and the partnerships that made them possible. If you’re passionate about shaping the future of La Plata County, we invite you to explore the report and join us in the work ahead.

2024 Alliance Report-digital

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