Economic Health Office Newsletter 10.2025

[Fort Collins Business Newsletter]

We want YOU at the Business Appreciation Celebration - Nov. 13, 2025! Join the City of Fort Collins Economic Health Office for a morning of community, connection, and celebration. The Business Appreciation Celebration brings together local businesses, entrepreneurs, and partners to honor the people and organizations that make Fort Collins thrive. Featuring keynote speaker Andy Stoll, light breakfast, and networking at Block One Events (428 Linden St). Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 8:00–9:30 a.m. Learn more and RSVP

Small Business Technical Assistance Mini-Grants Have you done, or are you planning to remodel or expand your business this year? The Small Business Technical Assistance Program is offering mini grants up to $10,000 to support the meaningful and valuable work of small businesses and non-profits who went or are going through the Building and Development Review process. More Information and Eligibility Requirements Here

NOCOBiz Connect: Supporting Sustainable Local Businesses Special Opportunity for Food Service Providers!   Food-serving businesses located in Fort Collins can now apply for a $1,000 grant to switch to eco-friendly takeout containers. This is a great way to reduce waste and show your customers you care about the planet. Apply Today!   Learn More Here

In the Zone? You Might Want to Check... About half of Fort Collins businesses are located inside the state-designated Enterprise Zone—but most don’t know it. The worst part? You could be leaving thousands in tax credits on the table without realizing it. Everyday activities like buying equipment, hiring and training staff, and offering benefits might qualify for state incentives just by being in the right location. We’ve already helped several Fort Collins businesses unlock unexpected savings. Want to know if you’re in the zone? Reach out to our office—we’ll help you find out!

Discounted Food Scrap Collection Pilot About 40% of what Fort Collins sends to the landfill is organic waste—food scraps and yard trimmings. Food scrap collection and composting services can keep that out of our landfill. A new 1-year pilot partnership between the City of Fort Colins and Compost Queen is looking to make composting more affordable and accessible with discounted rates for homes and businesses.  Spots are limited. Learn more and sign up directly with Compost Queen.

Wheels in Motion: How one Mobile Market Found Its Path When the Northern Colorado Foodshed Project set out to launch Familiar Foods, their intention was simple: partner with local farmers and the Food Bank for Larimer County to deliver local food to Northern Colorado neighborhoods, reducing hunger while reducing food waste.  Turning that vision into reality meant navigating business licenses, food vending rules, and health regulations. That’s when Carli Donoghue turned to the Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center (MBEC), a service of the City’s Economic Health Office. With help from MBEC Business Connector Leisha Talley, the team mapped out clear, actionable steps—from regulatory compliance to vehicle design, food handling, payment systems, and sales locations. Now, Familiar Foods has officially launched, bringing local produce, meats, and dairy directly to folks across the region. What started as an ambitious goal is now a working solution—powered by Familiar Food's determination and supported by MBEC’s process navigation and business connections. If you have a big idea but aren’t sure where to start, MBEC offers one-on-one guidance to help turn your vision into reality. Learn more

Calling Small Manufacturers! Ready to move from stuck to strategic? The Make it Accelerator is now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 cohort! Led by The Warehouse Business Accelerator, this 4-month hybrid program delivers expert coaching, peer support, and a clear roadmap to help small manufacturers scale smarter. Cohort learning + 1:1 mentorship Strategic growth planning One year of post-program support Info sessions available – join to learn more! Let’s build the future of manufacturing – together. Apply now

Grow your Business with Colorado Apex Training Are you ready to break into government contracting or strengthen your current strategy? Colorado APEX offers expert-led trainings designed to help businesses navigate the procurement process with confidence. From registrations to proposals, get the knowledge and support you need, at no cost to you. View Upcoming Sessions Here

Need help with Federal Agencies? The Office of U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper is hosting Community Office Hours at Colorado State University. Stop by to meet with constituent advocates who can assist with federal agency services like: Passport renewal IRS Social Security Veterans Affairs Citizenship/Immigration Services And more! Lory Student Center Market 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Upcoming Dates: Wednesday, November 5th Tuesday December 9th

Calling Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners Join us at 1 Million Cups every Wednesday morning from 9-10am! This free business group is one of the best ways to access and engage the local entrepreneurial and business support systems in Northern Colorado. We connect aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to the resources they need to start or grow their business.  Each week, two business owners give 6 minute presentations on funding, new product concepts, or business challenges they are currently facing. The 1MC Community provides knowledgeable feedback that is clear, actionable, and empathetic.  Starting and running a company can be a lonely endeavor. 1MC is here to help!  Free coffee and community every Wednesday @ 9am at the Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center 7 Old Town Square - Suite 100, Fort Collins.   Learn More Here

"It's All About Who You Know"-And We Know a Lot of People When you're running a business, the right connection at the right time can change everything. That’s where we come in. A Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) visit isn’t just a check-in—it’s a chance to tap into our network. We know the people, the programs, and the paths to help you: Unlock funding or incentives Navigate tricky processes Get connected to other businesses, partners, or City contacts Whether you’re facing a challenge or chasing an opportunity, we love playing connector—and we’re good at it! Let’s make some introductions. Reach out to schedule a visit

Sharpen Your Skills and Grow Your Business with Larimer County SBDC Ready to take your business to the next level? The Larimer County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers expert-led trainings and workshops tailored to help established businesses grow, adapt, and thrive. Whether you're looking to refine operations, boost marketing efforts, or strengthen your leadership skills, the SBDC has practical resources to support your goals. Book an Appointment

College and Trilby Intersection Improvements The City is resuming construction at the intersection of South College Avenue (U.S. Highway 287) and Trilby Road.  Specific construction impacts will be updated here when available. Information and Updates Here

Stay Out of Trouble and Learn About Colorado SecureSavings The State of Colorado now requires most businesses to offer retirement savings options—and the Colorado SecureSavings program makes it easy to comply. If your business has five or more employees, has been in operation for at least two years, and doesn’t already offer a retirement plan, you're required to register. The program is state-facilitated, low-cost, and easy to manage, giving your employees access to a Roth IRA through automatic payroll deductions—at no cost to the employer. It’s a simple way to support your team’s financial future and stay compliant with state law. Deadlines are rolling based on business size—make sure you're registered or exempt. Learn More and Check Your Registration Status

Shape the Future of Commissary Kitchens in Fort Collins Commissary kitchens are shared commercial spaces that meet health and safety standards, giving food entrepreneurs access to professional equipment and storage without the need to build their own facility.  They are vital for food trucks, caterers, bakers, meal prep services, pop-ups, and more. The City of Fort Collins is conducting research to better understand the community’s needs for commissary and commercial kitchen space—and we need your voice. We’d love to hear from you if: You currently use a commissary kitchen, and would like to share your experience You are interested in using one in the future. You currently operate, or have previously operated, a commercial kitchen of any kind. You represent a partner organization with insights on how shared kitchen space can better support local food businesses. Your input will directly inform how Fort Collins invests in resources to help food entrepreneurs thrive. Contact Shannon Hein at sh...@fcgov.com to share your story.

Share Your Voice: Help Shape a Stronger Larimer County Two important surveys are open now, and your input can help strengthen our community.  Community Resilience Survey How can Larimer County better support residents before, during, and after disasters? If you live, work, or play in Larimer County, your feedback will help improve programs that build a more connected and resilient community. Take the Community Resilience Survey  Regional Housing Needs Assessment – Employer Survey How do housing challenges impact your business and employees? Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins want to hear from local employers. This 5-minute, confidential survey will inform regional housing strategies. Take the Employer Housing Survey  Your participation helps shape programs and policies that make Larimer County a stronger place to live, work, and do business.

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Economic Health Office 222 Laporte Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521

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