PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release  –  Monday, January 25, 2021 – 11:00 MST

WHO WE ARE – The Pueblo Business Economic Recovery Team (“BERT”) is comprised of the following organizations: The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, The Latino Chamber of Commerce, Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce, Greenhorn Valley Chamber of Commerce, City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, Pueblo West Metropolitan District, Pueblo Economic Development Corp (PEDCO) Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority, Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center, Pueblo Workforce Center, Southern Colorado Community Lending, Pueblo Downtown Association, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Pueblo Community College, Colorado State University – Pueblo, Pueblo City School District 60, Pueblo County School District 70, Black Hills Energy, Xcel Energy, Pueblo Plex.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING – BERT spent the last 6 month of 2020 working on a plan that would not only help Pueblo recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, but would take Pueblo to an even higher level of economic prosperity had the COVID-19 pandemic not happened. We call this the “One Pueblo” plan.

VISION FOR PUEBLO – “Pueblo County is a dynamic and forward-thinking community of choice within Colorado that offers unparalleled opportunity for economic prosperity to each of its residents.”

GOALS/TEAMS (Last page defines the proposed

Vision Alignment- Continue to facilitate alignment among stakeholders and partners to achieve the One Pueblo shared vision of growth and prosperity.

Talent Pipeline Optimization – Align and optimize regional workforce programming and skill output with targeted industry needs and jobs of the future

Foundational Community Elements – Support the development of community elements and infrastructure that help to empower residents to achieve economic opportunity and achievement.

Targeted Industry Development – Help existing businesses grow and attract new industries, particularly those that are innovative and emerging.

Community Positioning – Position the Pueblo region as an innovative, forward thinking place of choice for both business and talent

3 Pillars of focus to accomplish the 5 goals

PILLAR #1: ALIGNMENT/REGIONALISM

Area of Focus: Roles and Responsibilities

• Strategy 1: Share and confirm the developed vision and goals with community members and stakeholders and update them regularly on the progress of the strategic plan.

• Strategy 2: Determine roles of each partner organization in implementation of the economic development strategic plan.

• Strategy 3: Ensure that policies promote and facilitate activities that achieves the shared regional vision for economic sustainability, growth and development.

• Strategy 4: Establish a clear communication protocol for prospects and businesses.

Area of Focus: Partnership Building

• Strategy 1: Strengthen relationships with existing industry base and build relationships with its major suppliers.

• Strategy 2: Maintain and deepen existing partnerships to enhance and cultivate further collaboration.

PILLAR #2: READINESS

Area of Focus: Product Readiness

• Strategy 1: Maintain an inventory of all sites and buildings available, working with relevant stakeholders to ensure information is up-to-date.

• Strategy 2: Prioritize sites and buildings based on priority projects and best business case.

• Strategy 3: Understand and develop the product pipeline.

• Strategy 4: Identify and develop key assets needed for targeted industries.

Area of Focus: Talent Readiness

• Strategy 1: Facilitate coordination between the supply and demand sides of talent and determine how to address gaps.

• Strategy 2: Educate students, parents and guidance counselors on the opportunities

available at companies in Pueblo County.

Area of Focus: Community Readiness

• Strategy 1: Support and facilitate placemaking efforts within the communities of Pueblo County.

• Strategy 2: Determine the feasibility of developing new quality of life amenities within Pueblo County.

· Strategy 3: Work with communities and other partners to identify and define current housing stock, as well as determine future housing needs

Area of Focus: Innovation Readiness

• Strategy 1: Identify and define current resources available for start-ups and address any gaps.

• Strategy 2: Cultivate the innovation economy within Pueblo County.

PILLAR #3: MARKETING/DIFFERENTIATION

Area of Focus: Advocacy

· Strategy 1: Promote a unified message that communicates the positive economic and community development news in the region.

· Strategy 2: Advocate at a state and national level for the interests of Pueblo County.

Area of Focus: Marketing and Messaging

• Strategy 1: Review all existing marketing tools, including website and print and digital marketing collaterals, and, as needed, revise them to ensure messaging and positioning resonates with Pueblo County’s target audiences.

• Strategy 2: Research, plan and execute relationship marketing strategies with decision makers.

• Strategy 3: Identify companies for recruitment within the recommended target industries.

HOW WILL WE MEASURE SUCCESS – One Pueblo – Economic Development Dashboard

Internal Metrics

Sites identified and prioritized for development

Business retention and expansion interviews/surveys completed

Number of leads from existing businesses

Number of expansion/growth projects worked on with existing businesses

Number of leads from new businesses

Number/percent of leads turned to prospects

Number/percent of prospects turned to projects

Number of site location projects completed

Capital investment

Jobs created and/or retained

External Metrics

Population growth

Jobs growth

Total Working Age Population

Percent of population in labor force

Unemployment rate

Median Household Wages

Wage distribution

Educational attainment

Poverty level

Industry diversity

Growth in targeted industries

Pueblo, CO

indieDwell, a manufacturer of modular affordable housing begins production at its factory in Pueblo, CO on July 6. This is the company’s second U.S. location. Announced in October 2019, the company completed improvements at its downtown location, on N. Elizabeth Street, at the end of June. Initial staffing levels will be around 100 employees by year-end and growing to nearly 200 as the company adds production lines in early 2021.

Ron Francis, the factory’s General Manager, said “We’re thrilled to be officially starting operations in Pueblo. At maximum capacity we will produce approximately 300,000 square feet of affordable housing annually for the local and regional market while creating well paying jobs, learning a trade and having some fun.” 

Initial projects emerging from the Pueblo factory include a sober living facility for the Southeast Health Group and a project for NeighborWorks Southern Colorado. indieDwell builds partnerships with foundations, non-profits, housing authorities and like minded developers to bring healthy, durable, sustainable, and energy efficient housing to local markets. In Colorado, partnerships with the Colorado Health Foundation, the Colorado Trust, the City of Pueblo, Pueblo Economic Development Corporation, Gary Community Investments, and The Colorado Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, helped bring indieDwell to Pueblo.

With limits on public gatherings, the company plans to host a public welcoming and open house this Fall or such time as local health officials determine it will be safe to do so. 

About indieDwell

indieDwell, a certified B Corporation, manufacturers healthy, durable, energy efficient and sustainable modular houses, with a mission to help solve the affordable housing crisis, while improving the health of the environment and empowering communities. The company operates factories in Idaho and Colorado. Learn more at www.indiedwell.com

Date: Wednesday July 1, 2020

Colorado Contact: Ron Francis, General Manager indieDwell Colorado

rfrancis@indiedwell.com | 719-248-3735

Idaho Contact: Chris Blanchard, Sales and Marketing Manager, indieDwell Holdings

cblanchard@indiedwell.com | 208-392-8726

New Jobs in Pueblo!

CR Minerals announces new manufacturing facility on Pueblo

PUEBLO – CR Minerals is a leading worldwide producer of high quality pumice products, based in New Mexico.  They have a range of applications including an additive in cement for stone veneer, concrete block, landscape rock and other uses in the construction industry. This new product mixes pumice with fly ash (currently from the Comanche Power plant) which makes cement last longer in the ready mix process.  They built a new $15 million facility here Pueblo, Colorado in 2017 as part of their Phase 1 development and currently have 17 full time employees. The CR Minerals facility is located at the St. Charles Industrial Park.

CR Minerals is proud to announce today an expansion of their current facility here in Pueblo. Details of the project include:

• Approximately $11.0 million in capital investment
• 8 new full-time jobs to be in place by May 26, 2023.
• $160,000 from the City of Pueblo’s half cent fund for economic development (contingent on approval from the Pueblo City Council)

“CR Minerals Company, LLC is very excited about expanding it’s facility here in Pueblo.  The city and our experience so far represents a confluence of characteristics that we feel is instrumental to the success of our business,” said Ed Dvorak, Vice President of CR Minerals Co. We were extremely pleased that the City of Pueblo stepped up to assist us with this expansion as we considered other states for this investment. Ed continues by saying, “For instance, PEDCO and the City once again has been very easy to work with especially in the planning and development stage for our expansion.   The benefits that stem from the city’s 1/2 cent sales tax has additionally created an economically stimulating environment in which incentives have been provided to keep our business expanding and create an additional base for future growth.  And last, but certainly not least, is the people of Pueblo where we will be able to draw from a strong employment base and gain employees that will help us not only succeed but thrive and grow.” In summary, Dvorak says, “In short, the expansion of our current facility and location for CR Minerals represents an extremely important step for the growth of our company and we couldn’t envision it being situated in a better location than the City of Pueblo.”

“Pueblo is thrilled to be selected as the location for CR Mineral’s continued expansion.” said Jeff Shaw, President and CEO of PEDCO. “This is yet another example of how PEDCO and our partners collaborate to bring great jobs and economic opportunity to the community.  The investment from the City of Pueblo’s half cent sales tax fund and Pueblo amazing workforce and infrastructure were essential components in securing this project.”

About PEDCO:

The Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) is a member supported non-profit organization whose mission is to attract, retain and expand primary jobs. PEDCO works with city, county, state and community organizations to coordinate available resources for economic development.

Re-opening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting spaces

Federal Guidelines

CDC  Guidance

State of Colorado Guidelines

Right now, we are in Level 2: Safer at Home. Coloradans are no longer ordered to stay home, but are strongly advised to stay at home. Critical businesses are open and non-critical businesses are operating with restrictions.

State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Safer at Home Guidance

Public Health Guidance and Resources

Office Based Spaces

Personal Services

Retail

Financial Resources

Over the last month of the COVID-19 Crisis, Federal, State and Local agencies have come together to offer relief options to businesses affected.

A list of these Financial resources is below.

Federal

SBA Funding Options

Payroll Protection Program Guide and Checklist

State of Colorado

Colorado SBDC – Small Business Response Resources

Colorado Small businesses – Alternative Funding sources Beyond Federal and State Programs

Energize Colorado Resources

Pueblo County

Pueblo County Business Loan Fund Emergency Policy Addition

City of Pueblo

1/2 Cent Sales Tax fund available for COVID-19 Relief

ActivArmor to Begin Producing Custom-fit, Low-Cost Reusable Respirator Masks with Bacterial Filtration Test Score Greater than 98.9%

Pueblo , CO – March 2 7 , 20 20 – Biomedical startup, ActivArmorTM, and the University of Maryland’s Robert Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices have joined forces to bring affordable custom-fitted, reusable respirators to healthcare workers using patent-pending filters made with 98.9% bacterial filtration material for Covid-19 Pandemic Healthcare Professionals.

ActivArmor Respirators: • Seal out airborne particulates – Tested and have passed FDA utilized permeability tests • Utilize patent-pending filter system, with material that achieves greater than 98.9% Bacterial Filtration Test (BFT) score. (Higher than P-95 filter systems on the market!) • Are transparent and designed for visibility of the healthcare worker’s lips while speaking, to ensure full patient/provider communication when voice may be muffled inside the mask. • Custom molded to the face for a perfect seal to lock out contaminants • Comfortable – custom formed to each individual’s face instead of traditional masks that seal by pressure on the mask, causing pressure bruising on healthcare workers • Lightweight – Only 0.5 mm thick to maximize visibility and reduce headaches/neck strain on healthcare workers • Low-profile – custom designed to face shape to eliminate interference in care by bulky, awkward masks • Remoldable – easily adjusted and re-molded as needed for seal or comfort • Reusable – durable and washable for safe re-use with long-lasting, replaceable filters • Affordable – starting at just $25

With the current shortage for hygienic, custom-fit, reusable N95 masks, ActivArmor is stepping up to fill the need and keep our front-line healthcare workers safe and protected. ActivArmor’s respirator designs have been tested and passed permeability tests used by the FDA, ensuring custom seal around the mask and the highest rated bacterial filters to address exposure risk experienced with many masks currently in use. The masks are hygienic, washable and re-usable with low-cost replaceable filters. ActivArmor has the capacity to manufacture thousands of respirators each day. Custom and standard designs are available to be pre-ordered on their website as of late Friday, March 27, with production starting the week of April 6. The design options are: • Custom-designed masks, fitted to each individual’s facial scan, using an iPad attachment. ($140 one-time custom mold design + $25 per respirator mask) • Standard designed, custom fitted masks come in Small, Medium, and Large, that can be thermoformed to the face. ($25 per respirator mask) Additional filters can be purchased for $5 each ($10 per pair)

ActivArmor is a Colorado-based company that provides a hygienic, waterproof alternative to traditional casting and splinting through 3D printing. Their casting solutions are used by hospitals and orthopedic clinics across the country, allowing those with injuries requiring immobilization to continue to swim, bathe, shower and wash their hands while healing. Providers replace casting inventory and labor with a 30-second scan – and a custom-designed and fabricated device is delivered in 3-4 business days, eliminating the need for all future casting/splinting for the patient throughout their healing phases. ActivArmor casts can be locked-on or removable, thick or thin, custom coverage areas, and adaptable for use with advanced healing technologies like ultrasound bone stimulators. Patients advertise for the providing clinic with free logos on every device. ActivArmor devices are covered by insurance including Medicaid and Medicare (call specific clinics for coverage details). ActivArmor orthoses are being prescribed by medical providers for treatment of acute injuries like breaks and sprains, and for chronic conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in clinics across the country. Contact: Diana Hall Diana.Hall@ActivArmor.com www.ActivArmor.com 317 N. Main St., 2NE, Pueblo, CO 81003 (800) 583-6690

On Monday, December 9^th, 2019, The City of Pueblo and PEDCO Welcomed MissionSide, the newest company to choose Pueblo, Colorado as the place to expand.

MissionSide is a census call center and will operate out of the old Express Scrips Building at Midtown Shopping Center, 1040 West 6^th Street.  They have already begun coordinating operation and spent Monday interviewing hundreds of people to fill the more than 500 customer service representative jobs that are available at the Pueblo site.   The staff who fill these temporary positions will begin training in January to assist in the 2020 census.

Jeff Shaw welcomed MissionSide to Pueblo, noting the welcomed sight of hundreds of workers eagerly waiting to be interviewed for a position with the company. “Its fun to walk into a welcoming when you’ve got 500 people in line to get a job.  Good sign for our workforce.”

Jeff noted that the census is very important to the economic work that PEDCO does.  Prospects and site selectors use the census data to determine where to locate.  The data is used to compare industries, communities, business climate and tax dollar allocation.  A lot of grants are also issued based off the census, including for education, transportation, workforce development, public health and business loans.   “So much that we do in the next 10 years is going to depend on the work that will be done by MissionSide.”

Mayor Gradisar, on behalf of the City of Pueblo, welcomed MissionSide, noting how much the building has changed since it was a Sears Warehouse.  He was happy to walk through to see so many Puebloans eager to go to work.

Rod Slyhoff, CEO of the Greater Pueblo of Chamber of Commerce, “Missionside, thank you for being here, you do important work.  We really appreciate your commitment to Pueblo, and we look forward to a long relationship.”

Adam Slagowski, president and CEO, was thankful for the warm welcome from the community.  He was blown away by the number of candidates they had.  He noted that this was the culmination of over the past 4 years of work, including reviewing over 100 facilities.  Pueblo was 1 of the 10 facilities selected.  “We immediately knew we had to have this place.  Our familiarity with the community and the workforce here – It all just came together, it was a match made in heaven. We are just very thankful we found this facility, we are thankful to be in Pueblo, we are thankful for the workforce and we are thankful for your support.”

Staying true to PEDCO tradition, Adam Slagowski, CEO and Mark Cutler CFO were presented with the customary gift of white Stetson cowboy hats.

Monday , October 24, 2019, – 4:00 p.m. MST

New Jobs in Pueblo!

indieDwell announces it will open a 100,000 sq. ft facility in Pueblo to manufacture affordable housing

PUEBLO – Today indieDwell, a manufacturer of modular affordable housing, announced it selected Pueblo, Colorado for the site of its second factory. The factory at full capacity will employ 200 workers and generate an estimated sixteen million dollars in annual payroll. The company anticipates rolling the first units off the production line in the first quarter of 2020. Eventually, workers at the factory will construct 1,000 modules or between 300 and 1000 affordable homes annually for Coloradoans. Extremely low income individuals and families in Colorado face a deficit of over 110,000 affordable rental units across the state.

indieDwell Executive Chairman Pete Gombert cited the region’s need for affordable housing and a robust local workforce in selecting Pueblo for the factory. “Pueblo like many areas faces significant shortages in affordable housing but the combination of the quality workforce and dedicated local partners made this happen,” said Gombert.

Denver-based Gary Community Investments, which invests in philanthropic solutions for Colorado’s low-income children and their families along with the Colorado Health Foundation introduced indieDwell to the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation. With further assistance from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the partners quickly galvanized a solution for indieDwell’s expansion to Colorado.

indieDwell’s unique model combines “people powered factories” and the manufacture of affordable homes, generating local and regional economic development while helping solve America’s affordable housing crisis. indieDwell pays all employees a living wage, medical, dental and vision benefits.

IndieDwell made the announcement at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2019. Details of the project include:

• 171 guaranteed new full-time jobs with an Average Annual Salary: $38,248. (Pre-Benefit)
• $1,636,800 from the City of Pueblo’s half cent fund for economic development (contingent on approval from the Pueblo City Council)
• $13 Million investment
• $35 Million annual economic impact to Pueblo

“PEDCO is thrilled to work with Peter and his team at indieDwell, as well as Gary Community Investments, Colorado Health Foundation and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, on this incredible project for Pueblo,” said Jeff Shaw, President and CEO of PEDCO. “Peter his team have been a pleasure to work with and it is evident why indieDwell as enjoyed such incredible support by all the partners in this project.”  We look forward to a long relationship with Peter and his team and thank the citizens of Pueblo for making this possible through their continued support of the half cents sales tax fund.”

“We are excited to welcome indieDwell to the Pueblo community.  Innovative, low cost housing is a very important part of a thriving economy, and indieDwell provides a solution that is both unique and very cost efficient for the homeowner / resident.  indieDwell will provide over 170 great paying jobs to citizens of Pueblo while at the same time becoming a great community partner in further economic development efforts,” said Andrew Trainor, PEDCO Chairman.

About indieDwell

indieDwell, a certified B Corporation, manufacturers healthy, durable, energy efficient and sustainable modular houses, with a mission to help solve the affordable housing crisis, while improving the health of the environment and empowering communities.

About PEDCO:

The Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) is a member supported non-profit organization whose mission is to attract, retain and expand primary jobs. PEDCO works with city, county, state and community organizations to coordinate available resources for economic development.

Article from the Colorado Sun summarizes how Pueblo’s location, weather and geographic assets are ideal for growing and processing hemp and PEDCO’s efforts to attract jobs in this industry. https://coloradosun.com/2019/10/24/hemp-growing-pueblo-economic-development/