County not only survives but thrives

The past year has had its ups and downs, but attendees of the Phillips County Economic Development annual meeting Wednesday, June 16, showed their optimism for the future of the county in a post-pandemic world.

The evening at the Paoli Town Hall included local project updates, scholarship announcements and a dinner catered by Happy Jacks Barbecue.

PCED Executive Director Trisha Herman applauded the 50 local members of PCED and praised the work of board members, including Tom Bennett, Mark Bornhoft, Kevin Scott, Lori Lundgren, Staci Tempel, Nici Akey, Julia Biesemeier, Michelle Lock and Shauna Strecker.

Herman reminded attendees how the county came together to help during COVID-19. The Help Holyoke fund raised $94,000 that was dispersed among 19 businesses and 103 employees and the Help Haxtun effort collected $25,000 for 10 businesses and 30 employees. Help Colorado Now grants totaled $25,000 and gap funding was $15,000, among other grants in the county.

"We hit it head on," said Phillips County Commissioner Terry Hofmeister in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I'm proud of our county."

"We still have a community to help," he added. Because of the county's persistence, another round of grant funds totaling more than $200,000 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act was recently made available to local businesses.

Commissioner Garold Roberts held up a large stack of papers that detailed the American Rescue Plan. As part of the $1.88 trillion economic stimulus package, Roberts said Phillips County is getting $827,000. In fact, about half of the funds have already arrived, although there are many restrictions that must be taken into account when putting the money to use. "It's real money. It's ours," said Roberts.

Herman said that Phillips County is looking to the future as part of the Colorado Rural Resiliency and Recovery Roadmap Program. It is funded by a $2.3 million grant to provide technical assistance for 16 regional teams representing 169 rural communities to drive economic recovery, diversification and long-term resilience.

Herman said Phillips County is part of the largest regional collaboration, which also includes the city of Holyoke, the Town of Haxtun, PCED, Holyoke and Haxtun chambers of commerce, Holyoke and Haxtun school districts, Haxtun Health and Melissa Memorial Hospital, among others.

Projects keep county on its toes

Herman reviewed several things that have been keeping her busy in the past year.

She has been working with committees in both Holyoke and Haxtun that are focused on increasing available housing. "It is an issue, and it's beyond what any of us can do alone. We need the community," said Herman.

They have been looking at incentive plans as well as funds from the state that could potentially help with the cost of infrastructure.

Herman is also part of the Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative that is raising funds to build a child care center in Holyoke. In addition to $600,000 raised locally, HCCI recently received a $500,000 donation from Shawn and Kristi O'Neal of Steamboat Springs. HCCI has also been busy writing grants for the $2.4 million project.

"We're sprinting. We're running. We're going to get there!" said Herman.

As the PCED Executive Director, Herman's time is also spent attracting diverse industry to the county, supporting new and local businesses, working with youth in the schools and at internships, networking, building stakeholder relationships and engaging with communities in the county.

Haxtun Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jenn Oberle gave a report and said that despite the pandemic the organization has grown to 62 members.

They had to get creative during COVID-19 to offer safe and enjoyable events for community and business involvement, including Music in the Square with local talent, Movies in the Square and the Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue Festival, as well as traditional favorites like Old Fashioned Saturday Night, a cornhole competition and Haxtun Corn Festival, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Holly Ferguson said she had not been on the job long when the pandemic hit and her role shifted to helping businesses survive COVID-19. "We were lucky in our little bubble out here," she said, noting that other communities saw more businesses close their doors.

A couple of projects Ferguson focused on were the Help Holyoke fundraising campaign and the Holyoke Eats food delivery service when restaurants were closed to in-person dining. Now, the chamber is happy to bring back some of its most anticipated events, like the 20th annual Dandelion Daze.

Commissioner Tom Timm gave an update noting that in addition to COVID-19 relief funds and donations to local food pantries, a big focus in the county right now is fixing roads. He also noted that they will be planting shade trees at the Homesteaders Park playground to make the praiseworthy county fairgrounds complex an even better facility.

Scholarships announced

This spring, youth between the ages of 12-21 who reside in Phillips County could be nominated for a Phillips County Economic Impact and Opportunity Scholarship, which is meant to recognize young individuals who have contributed to, have the desire to, or have fostered the overall economic growth, economic innovation, community development or entrepreneurial spirit of Phillips County.

The winners were announced at last Wednesday's meeting.

Kaison Kinnie's nominator said that during the pandemic he created the Rule Yourself movement including social media posts, workout routines and a line of apparel that encouraged his peers to stay strong physically and mentally.

LorenJo Oberle was recognized for her positive attitude as she participates in a multitude of extracurricular activities, babysitting and other jobs.

The Holyoke FBLA team of Ethan Schneller, Tayla Martin and Katelyn Kropp benefitted their community by working with the Lions Club to raise money for a renovation of their fairgrounds food stand.

Diego Jimenez, Kailar Hayes and Kenneth Lindholm of Holyoke FBLA were applauded for helping businessowner Dale Berg merge a coffee shop and pizza place through marketing efforts.

Victoria Race is studying pre-med with plans to become a doctor while also working at Ballyneal during the summer.

Brooklyn Plumb's nominator praised her for her leathercraft business, beef cattle operation and leadership qualities.

Tanley Andersen was recognized for her drive and passion as she interacts with her community as an employee of the Haxtun chamber and through volunteer projects.

Grace Gibson has made a positive impact through her school and as she cares for lawns to make extra money.