The Chaffee County Commissioners would like to thank the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for their recent Op-ed about the work they are doing to stimulate lasting business development and economic diversification in Chaffee County. It’s an important topic to highlight. The intentional work we do across the County to bolster the Commissioners’ priority pillar of building a Robust and Resilient Economy aligns with the EDC in many tangible ways.

As one of the largest financial sponsors of EDC and the host of our Central Mountain Small Business Development Center, Chaffee County is proud of our commitment to our region’s economic health and the work we do with the local business community. Chaffee County is also the sponsor and fiscal host for many state and federal grant programs that fund economic development within our valley, and we’re also consistently deepening our strategic relationships with partners like the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Colorado Tourism Office, and Economic Development Administration. 

Economic development with smart and sustainable growth is a constant focus at all levels of County leadership. Our work starts with the basics, such as: 

  • Funding the Chaffee Housing Authority and supporting the Chaffee Housing Trust, to ensure that the members of our local workforce that drive our economy have attainable housing.
  • Funding early childhood education and supporting the Chaffee County Early Childhood Council, to educate more childcare providers and help build the facilities needed to meet the needs of working families. 
  • Making sure the County’s roads and bridges and critical infrastructure are maintained so that commerce can flow throughout our valley. 
  • Making sure our tourism industry is supported through the best possible marketing and destination stewardship messaging, attracting visitors that respect our local values.
  • Working strategically to ensure agriculture remains a strong and viable business in Chaffee County for generations to come through our Working Lands Resilience initiatives.
  • Ensuring that our Law Enforcement, 911 Center, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, and Search and Rescue teams are the best in their fields to care for folks in times of need.
  • Providing for the basic needs of the people of Chaffee County so they have the food and health services that help them get to work every day.
  • Advocating at the state and federal levels to ensure we retain local voice in the decisions that affect us and take every opportunity to lift up our rural priorities.

We all recognize that over the past 15 years, Chaffee County has seen major growth and change including a major expansion of our businesses and economic productivity. Our population and economic data trends show that the number of residents has increased by ~15% since 2010, while our local Gross Domestic Product has increased 152% and unemployment rate has decreased 65% over that same period. The numbers of building permits processed through our Building Safety department have been at record highs; real estate trends and sales tax indicators show that solid momentum across commercial sectors has been sustained year-over-year.

Chaffee County Government has been an important driver and collaborator along the way, investing back into these priority areas for our community. In the past 5 years alone, the County has invested >$1 million into the EDC and SBDC’s programs and impact areas; >$5 million into local affordable housing projects and programs; $1.5 million into childcare expansion to support working families; and $5 million into promotion of Chaffee County’s tourism-based economy and destination marketing efforts.

The needs of our diverse community are dynamic, which is why we continue to focus on dynamic solutions that factor in the many facets of our economy and quality of life. This includes development of strategic economic plans to ensure deep and lasting economic health and community resilience. This isn’t a framework of ideological goals or a theoretical exercise for the County and our local government partners – the decisions we make day-in-and-day-out are about ensuring the current vibrancy of Chaffee County while also looking out for the long-term future of our community, our environment, and the people within it. Each of us are entrepreneurs and small business owners ourselves, and we truly respect the grit and determination it takes to make it work. 

We not only help keep Chaffee County open for business, we keep it functioning every day and improving on an on-going basis. While the contributions of the County are often made quietly behind the scenes, it is critical to every aspect of the economy in our county and your Commissioners are very proud of the role we play in making Chaffee County a home where our diverse community can live, work, raise a family, and succeed. Let’s keep it going – together.

Your Chaffee County Commissioners,

P.T. Wood

Gina Lucrezi

Dave Armstrong