Research shows employers who provide training and professional development opportunities to their staff have a 34 percent better employee retention rate. Providing training limits turnover and creates a team of knowledgeable and capable people. In rural communities, it may seem difficult to invest in employee’s training. CNCC can provide an assortment of training to local industry in Northwest Colorado. This workshop is an opportunity to learn about the grants, opportunities and current projects going on at CNCC and how it can impact your business.
When: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 29
Where: Clarion Inn and Suites
More information: Call Desiree Moore at 970-824-1135

Moffat County to Rally for Yampa Valley Gives Day

Each December, Coloradans come together with the common goal of strengthening their communities by helping power nonprofits. Community First Foundation and FirstBank partner to make this day rewarding for givers, nonprofits and the community as a whole. Yampa Valley Gives is hosting a rally at the Moffat County Courthouse for a Colorado Gives Day proclamation.

Yampa Valley Gives Nonprofit Participants who attend the rally will be entered into a drawing for an additional $500 prize on Colorado Gives Day (one entry per organization).
When: 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30.
Where: Moffat County Courthouse, 221 W Victory Way
More information: yvcvf.org.

Down-home Christmas in Craig set for Dec. 9

Celebrate the holidays in Downtown Craig at the Annual Down-home Christmas from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec.9 at Alice Pleasant Park in the 500 block of Yampa Avenue. The event will include entertainment, children’s activities and visits with Santa Claus. For more information or to volunteer, call Karen Brown at 970-824-7898 or Kandee Dilldine at 824-2151.

KOA Journey Campground earns 2018 KOA President’s Award

A little campground on the east side of Craig has won a big award: the 2018 President’s Award from Kampgrounds of America.

The company claims to be “ the world’s largest system of family-friendly, open-to-the-public campgrounds,” according to a news release about the award.

The award was presented Friday, Nov. 17, at KOA’s Annual International Convention in Phoenix, Arizona.

The 55-year-old company surveys hundreds of thousands of campers each year regarding their KOA camping experience, then presents the annual President’s Award to campgrounds receiving high scores in customer service from their campers and also receiving top scores in KOA’s annual Quality Review.

“We know that the phenomenal success we’ve had at KOA for the past 55 years is all due to the wonderful camping experiences our campground owners provide to our guests,” said KOA President and CEO Pat Hittmeier. “It’s an honor to recognize these great KOA owners for their efforts. The KOA President’s Award is well deserved.”

The Craig campground is closed for the season and will reopen in April 2018. To learn more about this KOA, or any of the other 500 KOAs in the U.S. or Canada, visit koa.com.

Younger consumers plan to spend more during holidays

With the holiday shopping season about to hit the home stretch, most consumers say they will spend about the same as last year. But a new survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics shows that young adults age 18 to 24 are the most likely to show an increase in spending.

“As Gen Z and Millennials get older, their purchasing power increases, and the rise in disposable income is sure to be seen by retailers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “This group of consumers has spent time carefully researching gifts for friends, family and themselves and are ready to begin knocking out their shopping lists.”

Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.