PCED meeting celebrates county growth

    Phillips County is growing and thriving. That was the overarching theme of the Phillips County Economic Development annual meeting Monday, April 23, at Paoli Town Hall.
    “There is a lot of growth going on in Phillips County,” said PCED executive director Trisha Herman. “More people are moving back, and there’s a competitive housing market.” Local communities have also seen growth in schools and businesses in the last year, she said.
    Herman reported that PCED had 32 members last year, and this year, she hopes to grow that number. She has been working with other economic development groups in eastern Colorado, and they aim to create a strategic brand for the region. “How do we show people we are on the map?” she asked.
    Herman has also been reaching out to the Small Business Association to get possible consulting opportunities for people who are interested in starting a business in Phillips County.
    A short update was given on the Phillips County Fairgrounds Pavilion and Education Center, just one more endeavor that will be a boost to Phillips County.
    On the youth development side of PCED, Herman announced that she is looking for two paid high school interns for this summer who are interested in learning more about economic development.
    
Chambers give reports
    Elizabeth Hutches, former director of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, gave a review of 2017. Highlights included the annual Chamber Gala and community recognition awards, first annual Ladies Night Out, Hot Dog Wednesdays in the summer, 17th annual Dandelion Daze and the 42nd annual Country Christmas event.
    Hutches introduced the new Holyoke chamber director, McKenna Heldenbrand.
    Haxtun Chamber of Commerce director Sara Firme reported growth across several areas of the community, including chamber membership, local businesses, school/child care and Haxtun Hospital District.
    The Haxtun Health and Wellness Initiative continues to move forward. A recreation center is being planned where the current swimming pool and basketball courts are located. Once complete, the center will be owned and maintained by the Town of Haxtun.
    She cited many benefits of a high-quality recreation center, including employee recruitment/retention, opportunities for local sports leagues and keeping families/money in town for recreation.
    
Child Care Initiative finishes initial feasibility study
    Hutches, project coordinator for the Child Care Initiative, gave an update on a possible child care center in Holyoke.
    After collaborating with the Colorado Center for Comunity Development, an initial feasibility was finished. An initial design was also completed that puts the child care center on a large plot of land offered for development by Melissa Memorial Hospital in the southeast corner of Holyoke.
    Next up in 2018 will be the capital campaign.
    
Phillips County is generous
    John Chapdelaine of the Eastern Colorado Community Fund said that as of the end of 2017, 17 philanthropic funds had been initiated in the six-county region.
    “Philanthropy is alive and well in northeast Colorado,” he said. “You need to start thinking of your community as an heir.”

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