Denver Economic Development & Opportunity-Grants

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Applications open: Small Business Grants

Denver Economic Development & Opportunity is now accepting applications for grants up to $15,000 and technical assistance to address specific ongoing post-pandemic challenges; the current round is focused on small businesses that have been impacted by nearby encampments. This effort complements the city’s House1000 initiative as the city continues to move individuals and families experiencing homelessness indoors and permanently closes encampments.  The grants are funded using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and delivered in partnership with Mile High United Way. Learn more, attend an information session, and apply today.

DEDO awarded $750,000 “Build to Scale” grant from EDA

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced their ‘Build to Scale’ grants administered annually by the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to accelerate technology entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to entrepreneurial support and startup capital. The City and County of Denver is a ‘capital grant challenge’ recipient of $750,000- and with a local match of $750,000 – this grant will help Denver businesses become capital ready.    Learn more about “Build to Scale” grants.

New: Denver Workforce Development Board recognized as high performing board
DEDO’s federally mandated Denver Workforce Development Board recently earned a “High Performing Board” designation from the State of Colorado. Members include employers, labor unions, educators, and workforce industry professionals. Learn more about this community-based board here.

DEDO Update: Community Development Block Grant funds

DEDO received approval from City Council in October for $2.9M in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for Commún Denver Inc to support the acquisition of Machebeuf Hall at 3040 South Loretto Heights in Denver’s Harvey Park South neighborhood.

Overall, the multi-phased $23.7M Machebeuf project makes possible the rehabilitation of the Hall to create a community center on the exciting Loretto Campus. Programing at the center will include mental and physiological support services fostering community empowerment and community organizing. Learn more about the Loretto Heights campus.

 

Applications Open: Popup Denver “Travelers Track” 

Through December 31, retail businesses that sign a lease or license agreement to expand their existing business concept into a vacant space within the Downtown Area for at least three months may apply to receive a $15,000 grant toward their tenant improvements while funding is available. Popup Denver is proudly co-produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership and DEDO. Details and application info.

 

Denver Arts and Venues: Red Rocks Amphitheatre rocks its economic impact
A first-ever economic impact study by Denver Arts & Venues of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre finds the venue supporting more than 7,000 jobs across a number of business sectors, contributing tens of millions of dollars in tax revenues and providing more than $700 million in economic activity over the course of a concert season. Learn more about the study.

 

City program: Apply for a Dynamic Downtown Denver Grant

Mayor Johnston, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and Denver Arts & Venues invites the community to embrace and enliven Downtown Denver. The Dynamic Downtown Denver Grant program will provide individuals, community groups, nonprofit organizations, and businesses grants that range from $500 to $25,000 to activate downtown and showcase the spirit of Denver. Projects or programs should take place in highly-visible, publicly accessible outdoor spaces and provide the public with free, unique, and engaging experiences. Activations should take place between fall 2023 and spring 2024 and should be innovative and inclusive while celebrating the heritage, vibrancy, history, arts, culture, and future of our city. Learn more and apply.

 

We’re Hiring! 
DEDO seeks people who are interested in meaningful work that helps drive our mission of creating an economy that works for everyone. Please help us spread the word on these five exciting opportunities:

More careers with the City and County of Denver #SeeYourselfHere

The DEDO Newsletter will be back in January! 

The DEDO newsletter will take a holiday break the month of December. Stay in the know on all things DEDO by following us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Otherwise we will be back in 2024! 
City Program: Check the Status of Your City Licensing Application
The Department of Excise and Licensing has created a platform to for business and individual license applicants to check the status of their license application at any time and at their convenience by using this dashboard. Business applicants can search by record number, address, license type or entity name by clicking on the gray box associated with the desired field. Individual applicants can search by license type, record number or record name. Take a look!

City Program: Adaptive Reuse Program Extending to East Colfax
The city’s adaptive reuse pilot program for East Colfax Ave. is now open for applications. Adding to the existing pilot program for Upper Downtown, this program assists small businesses that may not have completed an adaptive reuse project navigate the city’s development and permitting process. Learn more about adaptive reuse in Denver, including these pilot programs, on the project webpage of Denver Community Planning & Development (CPD).
Programs

DEDO’s Small Business Loan Program 

Businesses tell us that securing the capital needed to start or expand is key to their entrepreneurial success. DEDO offers financing programs that are more accessible and often less expensive than traditional funding sources in the market. Interested? Learn more or reach out directly to DEDO’s Rick Snyder at Rick.Snyder@denvergov.org.

DEDO’s How to Start a Business Guide 
Funded by a grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, DEDO is pleased to offer the “How to Start a Business in Denver” checklist in nine languages, including Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Nepali, Pashto, Somali, and Vietnamese. Find downloadable booklets here.

State Programs: Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT)
  • Colorado Leads the World in Quantum Science!
    Governor Polis and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced recently that Colorado and the TechHubNow! Initiative have secured a federal designation as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub) focused on the advancement of the quantum industry. Colorado leads the world in quantum companies, quantum jobs, and quantum innovation, and this Tech Hub designation will position the state to accelerate the development of the industry while creating new, good-paying jobs for Coloradans. Learn more.
  • Employee Ownership Tax Credit
    Employee ownership models offer an alternative path to retirement that also preserves jobs, creating a win-win for business owners, employees and communities. This tax credit program has been expanded and you could receive up to $150,000. It covers up to 50% of qualifying business conversion costs for use on state income taxes. Applications are open and accepted on a rolling basis.