The Moffat County United Way’s Community Impact Program received a grant from the Union Pacific Foundation.

The Bridges Out of Poverty initiative used within the Community Impact Program is helpful to the community by using three main components: community education about how poverty looks in our community, the Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World class for people who are living in poverty, and the R Rules, a guide for middle-school and high-school youth to build resources and create a future plan for themselves.  

This three-part strategy helps to empower all residents in our community to achieve self-sufficiency and support each other in their goals.

“We are incredibly grateful to receive a grant from Union Pacific Foundation.  Union Pacific is a valuable organization and employer in our community and their support of our program is an honor,” Kristen Olson, Community Impact Coordinator for Moffat County United Way said.

If you are interested in participating in a Bridges training, know someone who would benefit from taking the Getting Ahead class, or have questions about the Community Impact Program, please contact Community Impact Coordinator Kristen Olson at 970-326-6222 or kristen@unitedwaymoffat.org.

Union Pacific has a long-standing commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves and where its  employees live and work. The Union Pacific Foundation was established in 1959 to support philanthropic activities in the areas of education, social welfare, health, science, and culture and the arts.

New Summer hours and film series at Downtown Books

The Bookstore hours are changing. The business will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Free movie nights will be hosted by the bookstore throughout the summer. On Friday, it screened the original “Three Stooges” and “Bugs Bunny.” Family friendly films are shown against the wall of the Community Budget Center. Security is being provided by Thunderrun Security. The next movie night starts at dusk on June 23. They ask that you bring your own chair. For more information call: 970-824-5343.

Tupa to join economic development team

JoBeth Tupa will soon join the staff of Craig/Moffat Economic Development Partnership and Marianna Raftopoulos Business Success Center. She will serve as executive assistant of the organizations, beginning June 19.

“I am excited to welcome JoBeth and work with her to strengthen our economy and business climate,” said Michelle Balleck, executive director of the organizations.  “Her organizational skills, relationships with key partners in our community and passion about the work we do made her the top candidate for the position.”

The position — a new one for the organizations — is supported through financial contributions from the City of Craig, Moffat County, Memorial Regional Health, Moffat County School District, Colorado Northwestern Community College and Moffat County Local Marketing District. The organizations pooled funds to fund broadband implementation efforts including the executive assistant position, which is responsible for managing administrative responsibilities and will relieve Balleck’s time to focus on moving the broadband effort forward.

“The city, the county and CMEDP are leading the charge bring abundant, affordable, reliable internet service to our communities,” Balleck said. “We asked for support to free up my time to focus on that implementation and secure funding for the projects. I have been moved by the resounding support for this project, and am eager to continue work toward our vision for our communities’ economic strength and sustainability.”

Tupa, who has lived in Craig since 2007, is vice chair of the Moffat County School District Board of Education, member of the Colorado Preschool Program Council and member of the Substance Abuse Prevention Program Board. She also serves on the Moffat County Housing Authority Board of Directors and volunteers regularly for the school district. She also assists her husband, Travis, with his two businesses operated in Craig.

“I look forward to supporting the great economic and business development programs and projects Michelle and the board are already implementing,” Tupa said. “I want to help Craig and Moffat County achieve the economic prosperity I see is possible for our future.”

To view the Moffat County Strategic Broadband Plan, visit ci.craig.co.us/government/broadband.

For more information on Craig/Moffat Economic Development Partnership and Marianna Raftopoulos Business Success Center, visit CraigBusiness.com.

Economic development board to visit Yampa Valley Fiberworks

The next business visit meeting of the Craig/Moffat Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors is scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m. June 21 at Yampa Valley Fiberworks, 41180 N. Hwy. 13, Craig.

The CMEDP board convenes in a boardroom-style meeting quarterly — in January, April, July and October — and tours local businesses in the remaining months. CMEDP board meetings are open to the public, and anyone interested is encouraged to attend the business visit.

“The business visit meetings are a great way for us to be out in our local companies, seeing the work they are doing, deeply understanding our economy and making decisions based on the feedback we hear from local business owners and managers,” CMEDP Executive Director Michelle Balleck said. “We are eager to tour Fiberworks and discuss with owners Lorrae and Lewis Moon what trends they are seeing in the industry and how we can best support their growth.”

For more information, contact Balleck at 970.620.4370 or director@cmedp.com.