Yampa Valley Data Partners is still looking for the rest of its 2015 funding. On Tuesday, Executive Director Keith Kramer will address Craig City Council to see if the city can provide any money.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, YVDP relies on grants, community funding, sponsorships and special projects to provide data and analytics for decision making and community collaboration in Northwest Colorado.

“We provide unbiased, completely independent and neutral data to governments, businesses, perspective entrepreneurs, other nonprofits and our mission has always been to strengthen communities by providing relevant, timely and accessible data,” Kramer said.

To meet its $88,000 annual budget, YVDP has requested $10,000 from Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties; $7,500 from the City of Steamboat Springs; $6,000 from Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association; and $10,000 from Craig. The rest of the funding comes from grants, sponsorships and a service fee.

So far, all of the entities have been able to meet the request, with the exception of Moffat County and Craig.

Moffat County has contributed $1,000 for 2015 and the City of Craig has not been able to allocate any funds for YVDP operations for the past two years, Kramer said.

At last week’s Moffat County Board of Commissioners meeting, Kramer made a request for funding but Commissioner Chuck Grobe was hesitant to allocate the requested funds, stating the budget was closed and providing funds for YVDA might encourage other groups to ask for money.

As an example of the service his organization provides, Kramer said that Yampa Valley Data Partner’s analysis of the coal industry’s economic impact in Craig and Moffat County was used by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association when it worked with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to complete the environmental assessment of Colowyo Coal Mine.

Craig Mayor Ray Beck said YVDP provides a valuable service and he has had a positive experience with it over the years but funding comes down to what the city has in its budget.

“I understand the predicament but we also have to be very conscientious of our budget and the needs that we have concerning not only our constituents but our employees as well,” Beck said, adding that Craig City Council will look to see if it can meet YVDP’s request.

Kramer said with the push for economic development, YVDP’s services are very relevant but the organization needs funding or it will have to reevaluate what it can offer.

Reach Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or pkelly@craigdailypress.com. Follow him on Twitter @M_PKelly.