The West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC) is eyeing a manufacturing opportunity that could impact Nucla and Naturita. WEEDC Executive Director Makayla Gordon told the Forum last Friday that nothing is official for planning or construction, but a $50,000 grant will fund a study to determine the feasibility of local manufacturing, specifically in the semiconductor industry.
Semiconductors are building blocks of electronics. They’re microchips made of elements like silicon. The state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) has reported Colorado is one of the top states for semiconductor production in the U.S.
OEDIT announced this summer five grants awarded to both urban and rural development in the semiconductor industry. Those recipients are Denver International Airport; Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership, located in Western Garfield County; Douglas County Economic Development Corporation; Region 10 Economic Development District, representing Delta, Montrose, Gunnison, Ouray, San Miguel and Hinsdale counties; and also WEEDC in Naturita.
The grants are funded by the Colorado CHIPS Community Support Program, and are specifically for semiconductor and “advanced” industries.
Gordon reiterated the grant funds are to study manufacturing and the “missing distribution link” that affects the West End. The potential to go after implementation grants later also exists.
"While we are very excited to explore the potential of advanced industry manufacturing in the West End, we are more excited to use this market study as a way to address distribution challenges we have due to our remote location,” she said. “Having an export economy — we send out products that we make locally and import the revenues — is a way to bring additional income to our community without asking our community to bear the entire burden of increasing income through spending. This market study, while it specifically explores the semiconductor industry, can help us to better understand how we can expand our light manufacturing in the West End and have a plan for successful distribution."
The grant funds are en route. Gordon said the next step is beginning the process for hiring a consultant, which will happen in the next couple of months.
Details of the study will be released once the work is complete.
On a related note, regarding economy and business, the Forum asked about the possibility of the meat processing facility, which WEEDC has been exploring the last few years. Gordon said last week she wasn’t sure about the future of processing meat locally, and that issue is complicated.
“We really need a champion,” she said. “We need an operator to come forward.”
Previously, a local individual had expressed interest in operating a local meat processing facility, she said, but they backed out due to USDA requirements.
Gordon said ideally, the facility would be USDA-certified. In this way, it could supply local grocery stores and the surrounding schools. If not, the facility can only exist for producer-to-consumer sales.
The Forum asked about Kinikin in Delta being USDA-certified. Gordon said it was, but was just purchased by Homestead, so some transition is taking place there.
