Local foundation’s grant cycle is open

Onward! A Legacy Foundation is launching its first grant cycle after 12 years of work and dedication creating a foundation where investors can easily and safely make philanthropic donations to investment funds which grow and provide income for nonprofit efforts,

Grant documents and information will be available online at www.onwardfoundation.org. Questions may be directed to grants@onwardfoundation.org. Approximately 10 short-term (maximum 1 year) grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 will be disbursed this cycle. To be eligible to apply for a grant, an organization must meet the following criteria: be a nonprofit project or organization located in and providing services to Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, Archuleta or San Juan County; have 501(c)3 status or other nonprofit designation; have an organizational structure that demonstrates professionalism and accountability, i.e., a board of directors or similar structure with some kind of governance, have well defined goals and a method for evaluating success for the grant activity proposed.

Compañeros leader announces resignation

The executive director of Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center is resigning.

Nicole Mosher, who has been in the position for four years, will work until Nov. 13.

An immediate goal is to help her husband establish a computer shop and business oriented toward high tech in Mancos, Mosher said.

The job opening for a new director will be posted soon, Mosher said.

Compañeros, which supports causes and activities involving immigrants, has an office in The Commons building, 701 Camino del Rio, Durango.

Region 9 director celebrates 25 years

Ed Morlan, executive director of the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado, was recently recognized for his 25th year as executive director. Morlan has brought the organization from a $30,000 deficit to an annual operating budget of almost $2 million dollars.

During his tenure, Region 9 developed a Growth Company Initiative to assist emerging growth companies; assisted Silverton when devastated by layoffs due to the closure of mines; helped launch development offices in each county; and helped the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad survive the fires of 2002.

Region 9 helps organizations including the Southwest Colorado Council of Governments, Four Corners Film Office, Southwest Colorado Travel Region, and Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs.

Region 9 is composed of Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties and the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes.

Space Business group tours area

Officials from the Colorado Space Business Roundtable again toured Durango last week as officials drum up support for aerospace.

This is the second annual visit by the Roundtable. Officials toured AMPT, an aerospace business next to Durango-La Plata County Airport.

Participants also toured the airport as city of Durango and La Plata County officials study possible renovation and expansion options for the Four Corners main air hub.

The Cortez Journal