So what are the differences between Region 9 EDD and AEDA?
It appears to some from the outside that both the Archuleta Economic Development Association (AEDA) and Region 9 do the same thing. To add to the confusion, the Executive Director of AEDA is on the Region 9 Board and Region 9 is a member of the AEDA. The bottom line is both organizations work together to help local business owners and communities succeed.
Similarities and Differences
Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado, Inc. (Region 9 EDD) is a 501 c(6) Colorado non-profit community economic development corporation that promotes and coordinates economic development efforts throughout Southwest Colorado. Their board of directors is comprised of 26 directors, 17 members from local government agencies throughout the region, and nine members that represent the private sector in their five county area. They have 5 staff members and 1 consultant. Region 9 EDD serves the counties of Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan, and the cities and towns within those regions, as well as the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe.
The AEDA is a 501 c(6) non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to enable, grow and sustain economic development in Archuleta County. We are an independent, private and publicly funded organization, completely separate from the County or the Town. We are an organization of 15 Board members and 1 staff person representing private business, local government, financial institutions, builders/developers, real estate agents, and local utilities. Our focus is Archuleta County only, not regional.
Among their many services, Region 9 EDD offers a revolving loan program for “gap” financing to assist small business retention, expansion and job creation. They also offer a micro-enterprise loan program for loans up to $100,000 for qualifying small businesses with five or fewer employees. Currently, the AEDA does not offer loans to businesses.
In addition to their loan programs, Region 9 EDD administers the Colorado Enterprise Zone Tax Credit program, meaning they process and approve all tax credit applications from businesses. They are also the liaison for the State in administering this program in our region. The AEDA markets this program to local businesses, and assists and educates local businesses about the Enterprise Zone tax credit program. The AEDA also helps local businesses decide which credits are applicable as well as work with Town and County staff on implementing local business incentives.
Region 9 provides administrative support to the Southwest Regional Transportation Planning Commission. The AEDA is not involved in the transportation planning committee.
Region 9 publishes the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to assist local communities with regional economic development strategic planning and technical assistance. The AEDA works with Region 9 on these updates, providing the necessary information to put into the report. While working with Region 9 in 2007, the AEDA spearheaded efforts to change the contents of the report to include the local economic development vision, strategic imperatives and goals and objectives. The new format was so well received that the other counties followed suit.
Region 9 publishes many different data reports on the region, including the Southwest Colorado Index Report, and the Region 9 Report, which provides tons of economic data on the local community economies. Other data, such as real estate MLS data, data on local sales tax, lodging tax, reports on education, and other more specific reports are provided by the AEDA. It’s the combination of all of these reports from both organizations, and the ability to have it consolidated on the AEDA website and the scan.org website that makes it useful and effective.
Another main difference is Region 9 EDD is focused on regional economic development, whereas the AEDA is focused on local. Region 9 is here to support the local community, in whatever capacity we need them. But the AEDA is responsible for working with the community, creating the economic development vision, and executing that vision.
Region 9 is also not involved in mentoring businesses. The AEDA executive director Bart Mitchell is the only certified SBA counselor in the County, and does one-on-one mentoring with local businesses. He also partners with the Small Business Development Center’s director Joe Keck to mentor every 4th Tuesday of the month at the Pagosa Springs Chamber.
We hope this has helped some in clearing up the confusion. If you have any questions at all about what the AEDA does, or how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 970-731-1443, or visit our website at http://www.aedaed.org.