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Week of March 9, 2023
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 128 | ISSUE 4
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SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS In this week’s paper!
County touts economic strategy Plan available online STAFF REPORT
Players take part in the Feb. 22 unified basketball game at Elizabeth Middle School as people in the crowd take PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH SCHOOL DISTRICT photos of the action.
Unified game is winning combination Students with special needs play in basketball event STAFF REPORT
An annual basketball game between special education students at Elizabeth Middle School almost filled the gym on a snowy night in late February.
The spirit squad came to cheer for the players. The school’s band roused the crowd. The Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo queen mingled with attendees at courtside and helped distribute the medals given to each player. They all came out on Feb. 22 to root for the players shooting hoops at what the school calls its unified basketball game. The players are students with physical, educational and other issues that are otherwise
a barrier to participation in school sports, Unified Coordinator Mike Hamner said. “It’s an opportunity for our kiddos who don’t get to play a regular sport,” Hamner told the Elbert County News. Hamner, a special education teacher at the school who also coaches football and softball, said the unified players spent several weeks preparing for the game. They designed SEE BASKETBALL, P2
Elbert County has released its first-ever standalone economic strategy, based on months of research, analysis and community input. The goal is to maintain the county’s rural character while meeting long-term community needs. “We have targets with timelines, and we look forward to taking action on the recommendations that align with the philosophy and vision of the county’s comprehensive plan,” Economic Development Manager Marc Dettenrieder said in the announcement. The plan has three objectives: 1. Community character
The plan includes a strategy for strengthening and maintaining Elbert County’s rural character by identifying and articulating what makes Elbert County unique - and what it means to be in Elbert County from both a resident and business perspective. Examples include finding new uses for fairgrounds and trails
and implementing a facade grant program so business owners can enhance their buildings and adhere to standards for their respective historic zones. 2. Fiscal stability
The plan lays out a strategy for facilitating commercial development processes and recruiting new businesses. Examples include improving the permitting process and targeting and recruiting businesses based on residents’ needs and priorities. In Dettenrieder’s words: “The strategic attraction of businesses that meet the needs of our community and provide jobs closer to home is an appealing output of this project.” 3. Local economy
The plan is committed to supporting the local economy by expanding and retaining local businesses using advocacy and assistance. It also includes marketing support to promote companies that align with Elbert County’s rural identity. The Elbert County Economic Development Strategic Plan can be found online at tinyurl.com/ elbeconplan.
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14
T S E B F THE O T S E B
2023
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