Press Release

Contact:          Wendi Nafziger                                                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone:            303-651-0128                                                                       April 14, 2005

SMALL COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

The award for Small Community of the Year is presented to a community under 20,000 in population that demonstrates support for economic development through an organized economic development program and strong leadership. The community must also illustrate long-term planning and investment in the development of the community through infrastructure planning, permanent economic development funding and strategies. Realization of a special project or development is also a criterion. The 2004 Small Community of the Year is the Town of Eads, located in Kiowa County. The Town of Eads epitomizes the criteria for this award. The Town of Eads has been actively working with the Arkansas Valley Marketing Coalition (a five county organization) to establish itself as a community in search of expansion for its citizens. The town was awarded a $22,000 scholarship by "Your Town" for the recreation of their downtown. They are near completion of the Sand Creek Massacre site - a national historic site and are working actively with surrounding counties  on a coalition tourism project. The Town of Eads is also actively involved with CRDC and Action 22 on tourism and economic development efforts.

In addition, the acquisition of the 800 acre Jackson Property is and will continue to create great economic opportunities for Eads and Kiowa County. Efforts to comprehensively plan how the property might best be utilized have included many areas and groups within the community and county. Working with all elected officials, businesses and most impressively, the youth has established a human capacity and formula for success that would be difficult to top anywhere. Congratulations to the Town of Eads, the 2004 Economic Developers' Council of Colorado's Achievement Award recipient for Small Community of the Year.  For further information, contact Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation at 719-438-2200 or kcedf@kcedfonline.org .

 

EDCC

The Economic Developers’ Council of Colorado (EDCC) is a membership organization dedicated to furthering the state’s economic development success through professional education and legislation. For more information on EDCC, visit our website at www.edcconline.org .