Be sure to follow the Edwards House on Facebook & Instagram.

The Edwards House is a historic boutique inn located in Old Town Fort Collins. The inn also Candlelight Dinner & Live Music on Thursday nights, offering an exclusive in-house dinner prepared by local chefs in Fort Collins. The Edwards House offers private conference rooms for team off-site meetings, board meetings, team-building activities, and training workshops, etc. They also host special events, including private parties, celebrations, weddings, wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding showers, and micro weddings.

Click here to read more about Edwards House!

Are you hiring? Not sure how to reach candidates? Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD) is hosting virtual hiring events to connect businesses to job seekers.

• Showcase your organization and job opportunities.
• Meet local candidates with the skills you need.
• LCEWD will schedule the event and market it to qualified job seekers.

If you or your business are behind on your bills from Fort Collins Utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Utilities received $469,000 from Platte River Power Authority and $381,550 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to directly support our customers in need.

Charges accrued April 2020 or later qualify. Utilities reserves the right to make the final determination on how much assistance customers are eligible for, but most applicants have received their entire overdue balance. Apply early – applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more and apply, visit fcgov.com/assistance.

WORKFORCE INNOVATION GRANTS
Applications are now open for grants of up to $150,000 to local organizations to help meet workforce needs. 

Grant funds can be used to help solve workforce challenges by financially supporting innovative pandemic-recovery plans that will help build in-demand skills; or connect workers and learners to quality jobs; or drive employer engagement in employee development in any of the areas detailed on the Workforce Innovation Grant website. 

Applications are due by January 20, 2022. Questions can be directed to 

lcewd-grant@larimer.org. 

Learn more at larimer.org/wig. 

FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED GRANT 
Do you have some college, but did not graduate or obtain your credential? Are you thinking of re-enrolling to finish your degree? The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative has launched the Finish What You Started Program to help Colorado residents go back to school and earn their credential or degree. The program supports in two ways: providing financial assistance and support services throughout their college experience.

This winter, For Fort Collins wants to encourage you to take the pledge to support local and promote community recovery for what makes Fort Collins special. When you make even just one purchase from a local small business, you’re supporting your friends and neighbors.

Let's support our Fort Collins businesses and their employees so we can ensure they stay open and thriving. Take the pledge at SupportLocal.ForFortCollins.com

• The Larimer County Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance (ERAP) funds can help individuals stay in their homes by paying back rent and utilities, and more. 
• WorkLife Partnership’s Small Dollar Loans Program is an efficient, cost-effective, low-risk alternative to payroll advances and employee loan programs. 
• Colorado Climber Loan Fund now providing eligible small businesses with working capital loans between $30,000 - $500,000.  
• Free De-escalation Training for Businesses During COVID-19 – Watch videos now 
• Small Business Tax Credit Programs are available 
• Skill Advance Colorado Training Reimbursement Grants available - around $1,200 – $1,400 per employee. The application period opens July 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022. 
• Request Onsite COVID Vaccine clinic - If you're interested in hosting an onsite vaccination clinic for your employees or for the general public at your business or facility, please send a request to the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment. There is no charge, and the Health Department coordinates staffing, logistics, and vaccine supplies.
• Colorado Disproportionately Impacted Business Grant - provides funding to Colorado businesses that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and did not receive meaningful access to federal loans and grants. Businesses will receive a minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $10,000. This grant is intended to cover expenses that have not been covered by other federal funding. 

Upcoming Events: 

• Business Q&A with Larimer’s Health Department - All businesses are invited to join the County on the fourth Thursday of each month. Join the 1-hour session on Thursday, December 16 at  2 p.m via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance.

Sign up for weekly updates from the City of Fort Collins Emergency Preparedness and Security COVID-19 newsletter at fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus

Check out ForFortCollins.com for tools and resources created to help your business reopen safely and strongly while gaining support from loyal customers and community members.