Telluride Foundation: Paradox Community Trust

14 Jan Telluride Foundation: Paradox Community Trust

Paradox Valley

Paradox Community Trust seeks businesses & entrepreneurs needing technical assistance. Applications now open for 2014  for development initiative.

The Paradox Community Trust is seeking applications for technical assistance from small businesses and local entrepreneurs with projects promoting local economic development and job creation. Now in its second year, the Paradox Community Development Initiative is a program of the Paradox Community Trust and is designed to provide technical assistance for start-up, emerging, and small businesses located within western San Miguel (Egnar, Norwood, and Redvale) and Montrose (Naturita, Nucla, Paradox) counties.

Funded and operated by the Telluride Foundation, the Paradox Community Development Initiative is designed to connect local entrepreneurs to the resources needed to realize their ideas and develop successful and economically sustainable businesses in the communities of the Paradox Basin. The Paradox Basin consists of the western portions of San Miguel and Montrose counties, including the communities of Egnar, Naturita, Norwood, Nucla, Paradox and Redvale. Despite recent economic struggles, the Basin has a long history of enterprising homesteaders, ranchers, miners, and small business owners, as well as abundant natural assets that the Initiative seeks to promote.

In 2013 the Paradox Community Development Initiative provided technical assistance to businesses across the region, including Paradox Produce, Roper’s Bedrock Resort, Silver Hawk Ranch, and Som Footwear. Participating businesses were paired with industry experts who helped conduct marketing analysis, develop business plans, and create feasibility studies.

“With the Telluride Foundation’s help we were able to reach the next level of professional development for our business,” Greg Warner of Paradox Produce explained. “Technical assistance with something as important as a business plan cannot be underestimated, and we were fortunate and grateful to get this accomplished.”

Any small or emerging business (fewer than 50 employees with revenue under $1 million dollars) can apply. Whether seeking to gain skills to improve their current business, looking for help in structuring a new idea, or simply looking to increase what they already do, local businesses at any stage of development are welcome to submit an application for assistance.

The first round of applications will be due February 21, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. MST. Applications can be found online at www.paradoxgives.org/PCDI or may be obtained by contacting Jeff Hopfenbeck at jeff@headsetstrategy.com or 303.910.6119. Winners will be announced early March.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Telluride Foundation for individual assistance with their applications or to ask questions about their idea for creating jobs. One-on-one help sessions will be available during the week of February 10. Please contact Jeff Hopfenbeck for more information.

About the Paradox Community Trust

In 2009, the Foundation convened public and private sector leaders to establish the Paradox Community Trust (PCT), to create permanent and locally controlled resources for the economically challenged communities of the Paradox Basin. The PCT takes a new approach to rural community development  by creating a permanent investment fund of local donations, oil, gas, and severance revenues, foundation grants, corporate charitable contributions, and estate planned giving. The PCT uses the principal interest from the permanent fund to foster community improvement, economic development, and build local human capital. For more information on the Paradox Community Trust, visit www.paradoxgives.org.

About The Telluride Foundation

The Telluride Foundation exists to create a stronger Telluride community through the promotion and support of philanthropy. It is a nonprofit, apolitical community foundation that provides year-round support for local organizations involved in arts, education, athletics, charitable causes, land conservation and other community-based efforts through technical assistance, education and grant making. As a grant maker, the Foundation awards grants to qualified applicants that serve the people living and working in the Telluride area for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life within the region. For more information on the Telluride Foundation, visit www.telluridefoundation.org.