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Moffat County's economy is energy-based -- each of its top 10 taxpayers depends on the area's abundant supply of natural resources. Yet, there's a diversity that helps the county thrive.

Homesteaders flocked to Moffat County in search of fertile ground for ranching and farming. Years later, what was found under that ground became the economic driver of the local economy.

Colowyo Coal Co. and Trapper Mine provide significant employment and tax dollars for the area. Tri-State Generation and Transmission runs a three-unit power plant outside of Craig that provides the most tax dollars to the county and is the area's second-largest employer. The plant is the largest coal-fired plant in Colorado.

Natural gas and oil exploration has opened the doors to a flood of development activity in the region as companies search for the resources to meet America's growing energy demands. Northwest Colorado reserves are vast.

Overall, Moffat County's economy has steadily improved throughout the past several years. The unemployment rate is falling, and housing prices and the cost of living remain at enviably low levels.

The sales tax rate in Moffat County is 7.25 percent, and the mill levy is 20.872 in the county. County government is able to retain a low mill levy, in large part, because of the tax dollars large industries contribute to the local economy.

The Craig campus of Colorado Northwestern Com-munity College has programs that are helping supply a trained work force for Craig and Moffat County. Nursing and cosmetology programs now offered may be joined this year by a new training program. CNCC is working with Tri-State to develop the program of basic technical training to prepare students for entry-level jobs in the field of power generation.

Craig, with its broadband infrastructure and capabilities is poised for business growth as high-technology businesses become "location neutral."

As county and city government continue their investments in upgrading their infrastructure -- the city is now investing in a $7 million water plant upgrade -- businesses are finding the area more and more appealing.