SLV Placemaking and Innovation Challenge
WHY IS THERE A SAN LUIS VALLEY (SLV) PLACEMAKING CHALLENGE?
After years of planning and one crazy pandemic, the SLV is ready to get it done. A group of dynamic, small, and rural San Luis Valley communities ready to engage through place as the SLV dives into implementing the future. Because, the SLV is ready and we are ready to GET IT DONE.
WHAT WILL THIS CHALLENGE DO FOR MY COMMUNITY?
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and Downtown Colorado, Inc. are working closely with partners and champions to be a part of the following stages of economic development and community activation in the SLV.
Building the Network – Engaging and expanding networks focused on investing ideas, time, and money in the San Luis Valley.
Place Management – Identify assets and prioritize momentum building projects.
Creative Installations – Create magic in the very places you love. Watch as the very places that you see everyday will be asking you for ideas and love.
Social Entrepreneurship – Engage people with ideas to access training, collaboration, and competitions to solve some SLV challenges with business ideas. CHFA will support $5,000 in cash prizes to help startup businesses!
WHICH COMMUNITIES ARE PARTICIPATING?
We are currently planning to work with Antonito, Center, La Jara, San Luis, and Saguache. We will be interviewing and gathering further information with these communities first, and can begin working with other communities in phases. The process is open to everyone, but Downtown Colorado, Inc. and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority have been planning work for those communities who shared a letter of interest.
HOW DO WE PLAN FOR SUCCESS?
We are creating platforms to connect the various initiatives to link the places in the community to an online idea sharing network, linking “idea people” from different communities, and forming a network of the local government, non-profit, and academic partners who are working to support initiatives so we can share resources!
As we continue to develop the plan we will be starting on several grants to raise funds to support the effort. All of the communities and partners who want to be part of this dynamic program must develop written statements of commitment to the process.
NOW!
State the Need
Confirmation Letter to Downtown Colorado, Inc.
Assurance Letter stating a commitment to SLV Challenge Innovation in 2021.
A request letter to CHFA for your community to access placemaking resources.
Invite Participation
Letters from businesses and potential entrepreneurs indicating the need for training in 2021.
Share this overview with leaders in your community to see if there are two adults and two youth leaders that might want to be engaged in an SLV Innovator Leadership cohort in 2021.
Create your community page on the SLVPlaces.org site! (Contact Kylie Brown outreach@downtowncoloradoinc.org for more info)
Identify Resources
Start a list of local resources (partners, funding options, vacant buildings, billboards, blank canvases, etc.
Consider if your community can provide a match (in kind or cash) that might already be in your budget for improved places!
2021 CALENDAR
(more to come… we are just getting started)
Jan Kick off with a Social Entrepreneurship workshop to talk about the process of identifying community challenges you might be able to solve.
Jan Work with Downtown Colorado and your representative from the UCD Economic Development Class as we craft an investment and entrepreneurship engagement plan.
Jan Community-wide campaign to engage and talk about solving challenges in the community.
Feb Engage the community through fun installations and messaging to invite people to share ideas and show their love.
Feb Dive into placemaking and product marketing with workshops on window displays
Mar Kick off planning for the Farm to Spaceship love your SLV extravaganza training workshop….
Apr Build a stronger local team with leadership and visioning through the Colorado Challenge Studio.
Jun Get ready for a nationally renowned artist to open a prestigious event with the first show in the San Luis Valley. The other shows are in Boulder, and Aspen!
July Keep things rolling by connecting opportunities to activate places and properties, with communications and organizational development.