Support for Business

October 15, 2021

National Work & Family Month

Permanent Employee Ownership Office in CO

Employee Ownership Trial Grant

Apply For the Tri-County Workforce Development Board

Jefferson County requires masks in Government Buildings

October is National Work and Family Month

Critical Resources for Working Families

During National Work and Family Month, The U.S. Department of Labor is highlighting the need for equitable practices in the workplace that support all working families. From paid family and medical leave to flexible work hours and access to quality child care, research shows policies that support a healthy work-life balance are good for workers and employers.

Protections for pregnant and nursing workers

If you’re pregnant or nursing, explore the map to see?what legal protections your state offers, such as protection against discrimination, and time and a private place to?express milk.?

Guidance on retirement and health plan benefits

If you have lost a job or are navigating major life changes – such as marriage, divorce or the birth of a child – they have guidance on your health and retirement plan rights and options.

Long Term COVID Support

Many people who have had COVID-19 experience ongoing symptoms that make it difficult to do their jobs the same way as before. Even if your symptoms are temporary or episodic, you may qualify for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act if you have long COVID.

Unpaid time off

Only 23% of private sector workers have access through their employer to paid family leave. If you are not one of them, you may be eligible for up to?12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act to take care of your serious health condition or that of a family member.?The U.S. Department of Labor?employee guide explains who is eligible and how to use FMLA leave. For questions about taking leave related to COVID-19, click here.

Permanent Employee Ownership Office Established

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced yesterday, in celebration of Employee Ownership Month, the establishment of a permanent Employee Ownership Office (EOO) and the launch of several new initiatives.

Among the services offered by the new Employee Ownership Office are consulting, certification and an employee ownership loan program.

The Employee Ownership Navigator will consult with business owners to answer questions they may have about becoming an employee-owned company. We offer confidential consultations to learn about employee ownership options (ESOP, Coop, broad-based profit sharing, etc.). They can also connect you with vetted technical service providers for initial guidance.

The Colorado Employee Owned Certification is for businesses offering employee ownership to 20 percent or more of its employees. Certified businesses will be included in future statewide branding campaigns, are eligible for future programs, be among the first to receive important information from the office and may be listed on the OEDIT website. The certification lets the community know the business is locally owned and operated, and supporting the business further supports the community.

If a business is already offering employee ownership to 20% or more of its employees, they are encouraged to join OEDIT's efforts by registering with the Colorado Employee Ownership Office. The office currently offers a loan program and will be rolling out a new grant and other programming in the coming months.

As a record number of Colorado business owners reach retirement age, increasing the number of employee-owned businesses across the state ensures that local businesses will continue to offer necessary goods and services to communities beyond a business owner’s retirement.

Employee ownership offers business owners a ready, willing and able buyer for their firm, can offer substantial federal tax benefits and can serve as a key part of an owner succession plan.

Employee Ownership Trial Grant

The Colorado Employee Ownership Trial Grant is available to Colorado-headquartered small businesses to pay for the reimbursement of professional technical services required to transition your business to become a Colorado

Employee Owned Company. Professional services covered by this grant include accounting, legal, business valuation, and technical services. The grant may also be used to repay the Colorado Employee Ownership Loan.

You will be required to actively work with service providers to transition to an employee ownership structure. Eligible employee ownership structures include any model requiring 20% of the business to be owned by employees (excluding founders).

Applications are open and due October 29 at 5 pm. Apply now.

Apply For the Tri-County Workforce Development Board

Do you have a passion for workforce development?

Do you have an interest in guiding and directing policy and workforce development strategies to better support our business community?

If so, please consider applying to the Tri-County Workforce Development Board! Currently looking for new members from businesses in the private sector in Jefferson, Gilpin, and Clear Creek Counties.

Requirements:

The applicant must have optimum policymaking or hiring authority within the company, such as the HR Manager, CEO, or Director.
The organization must provide employment opportunities for in-demand sectors or occupations in the region and provide high-quality training and development opportunities to its workforce.
Small businesses are encouraged to apply.

Board applications will be open from October 18 – November 2. Join the current private sector businesses represented on the board; FirstBank, Barber-Nichols, Lockheed Martin, Slalom, Duffy Crane and Hauling, C Squared, Ball. Apply Here

The Jefferson County Board of Health voted yesterday to require masks in local government buildings for individuals ages 2 and older.

The Public Health Order became effective on Saturday, Oct.9 at 12am and applies to all county and municipal government buildings. It will remain in effect until Jefferson County has experienced at least 21 consecutive days in CDC’s moderate or low transmission categories.

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center
Business Services

Business Services offers a wide array of services and resources to help businesses of any size.

Information about layoff assistance and layoff aversion programs are available, please contact Jill Howard at [email protected] or call 303-271-4768.

If your business is currently hiring, we can assist with job postings, marketing to job seekers and virtual job fairs. Contact the Business Services team at [email protected] or call 303-271-4800.

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center website:
https://www.jeffco.us/Business-Workforce-Center

Additional Resources

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Workshops: https://www.jeffco.us/calendar.aspx?CID=28

General Unemployment Insurance Information Related to Coronavirus
Up-to-date information for employers, employees and FAQ’s about Colorado Unemployment Insurance programs and other resources.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/

Colorado Unemployment Insurance Employer Services website
Information about layoffs, labor laws, incentives and tax credits, audits, posting jobs on Connecting Colorado and more.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/businesses-employers

Unemployment Insurance Guide for Employers
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Employer_Guide.pdf

Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Learn what it means for employers.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/families_first_coronavirus_response_act.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance for the workplace.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200309

Small Business Guidance & Resources
Information about Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs, Guidance for Businesses and Employers, SBA Products and Resources, Government Contracting and Local Assistance.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners and Renters.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation
Jeffco EDC is an advocate for the county’s business community and is dedicated to building economic prosperity in the community. Current resources for businesses are included on the website.
https://jeffcoedc.org/

Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation
The CCEDC works to create and offer programs for Clear Creek County businesses. Information about emergency working capital loan program is on the website.
http://www.clearcreekedc.org/our-programs

Arvada Economic Development Association
Arvada Economic Development Association has community, government, and civic partnerships which allow AEDA to provide your business with the latest business information and resources.
https://arvadaeconomicdevelopment.org/

City of Edgewater
The City's economic development programs are designed to bolster the economic health and opportunity within Edgewater and the surrounding area for residents and businesses alike.
https://edgewaterco.com/planning

Golden Community & Economic Development Division
The City of Golden Community & Economic Development Division provides a network of resources to support existing and growing businesses including grant opportunities.
https://www.cityofgolden.net/work/economic-development/

Lakewood Economic Development Division
The Economic Development Division of the City of Lakewood provides services to businesses, including business attraction, expansion, entrepreneurialism, marketing, communications and resources.
https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Economic-Development

Littleton Economic Development Department
The Economic Development Department of the City of Littleton focuses on business development, retention and attraction by providing business resources for companies operating in or planning to locate within the city.
https://www.littletongov.org/city-services/city-departments/economic-development

Westminster Economic Development Department
The City of Westminster Economic Development Division provides resources to existing and growing businesses.
https://www.westminstereconomicdevelopment.org/

Wheat Ridge Economic Development Division
The City of Wheat Ridge Economic Development Division is dedicated to both the businesses and citizens of Wheat Ridge by providing an array of resources for the community.
https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/269/Economic-Development

Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
OEDIT has a hotline for small business owners to call with questions at (303) 860-5881 or email [email protected]
https://choosecolorado.com/

Chambers of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce associations promote and protect the interests of the business community in a local community, and offer valuable resources and education to businesses

West Metro Chamber
https://www.westmetrochamber.org/

Arvada Chamber
https://www.arvadachamber.org/

Conifer Chamber
https://www.goconifer.com/

Evergreen Chamber
https://www.evergreenchamber.org/

Golden Chamber
https://goldenchamber.org/

Littleton Chamber
http://littletonbusinesschamber.org/

Westminster Chamber
https://www.westminsterchamber.biz/

Wheat Ridge Chamber
http://www.wheatridgechamber.org/

Wheat Ridge Business Association
https://www.wheatridgebiz.com/

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center serving Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties is an equal opportunity program; auxiliary services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.