Rural Jump-Start Program roll-out dates announced

Dear Economic Development Partners,

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade has scheduled roll-out dates for the new Rural Jump-Start program. The program will start accepting applications from designated institutes of higher education for participation and zone creation on Dec. 15, 2015 at noon. Applications from new businesses will be accepted starting on Jan. 19, 2016 at noon. 

Given that the Rural Jump-Start program is limited by statute to only three zones in 2016, applicants are encouraged to apply early. After the three zones are created for 2016, applicants who are approved for participation will start receiving program benefits in 2017.

The Rural Jump-Start program will offer tax relief to approved businesses and employees of those businesses in Jump-Start Zones for up to four years. With the approval of the Colorado Economic Development Commission, counties and municipalities will be setting up these zones around the state, and working with local colleges in attracting new businesses.

Because we are still in the process of launching the program and finalizing some details, we would appreciate your help in ensuring accurate information is released. We are asking that any written correspondence about the program to potential beneficiaries (e-mail, website or printed material) include the following text:

Per C.R.S. 39-30.5-101, the Colorado Rural Jump-Start program will begin taking applications on Dec. 15, 2015 at noon. All applications for participation in Rural Jump-Start will be submitted via a formal online process, reviewed by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and will require approval by the Colorado Economic Development Commission. Rules for the program and the application processes for businesses, institutes of higher education, municipalities and counties are in the program manual, which can be downloaded at www.advancecolorado.com/jumpstart. Please note that, per statute, in the first year of the program (January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016) only three pilot Jump-Start Zones can be approved. Anyone wishing for information about the Rural Jump-Start program should contact Ken Jensen at OEDIT at 303.892.3743.

Please contact me if you have any questions, and thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Ken Jensen
303.892.3743
[email protected]