Community Connections Announces Key Milestones

A new logo, new website, and Community Connections is ready to continue to serve the communities it has been a part of since 1985 with some key organizational changes. La Plata Electric Association launched the Sunnyside Community Solar Program at the start of June, with applications to join the program opening July 1st. Local businesses have new opportunities to invest in the local economy with the City of Durango's Economic Development Incentive Program. You're watching the "Local News Roundup", brought to you by Dunkin Donuts and Tafoya Barrett and Associates. I'm Sadie Smith. Community Connections recently announced a few milestones in its organizational redesign process, marking the start of a new chapter for the organization. As a result of regulatory changes, Community Connections is forming two separate entities to best address the ever-changing needs of the communities it has been serving since 1985. Beginning July 1st, Community Connections will transition its direct services to a new organization called Our Own Lives, which will continue to provide support to Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan Counties. Meanwhile, Community Connections will continue to provide early intervention services for young children and family support for people with disabilities living at home. It has recently expanded its case management services to people of all ages, develop mental delays, and complex needs. With the redesign, Community Connections also redefined and redesigned its mission, vision, and values, developed a new logo and overhauled its website to improve accessibility. Visit the website to learn more about the redesign process and how to get involved with Community Connections. On June 12th, La Plata Electric Association launched its first community solar program with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new solar array on Sunnyside Mesa. The Sunnyside Community Solar Array has an array of 3,623 solar panels that were built by the Durango based Konisto Companies. The array can provide power to 600 homes and businesses annually through the Community Solar Project. Subscribers to the project pay for a share of electricity generated by the solar array. The subscription means that clean renewable energy is available to everyone, even renters and low to moderate income households who might not otherwise have the property or funds to invest in solar panels. Half of the available subscriptions will be made available to income qualified individuals verified by 4CORE to ensure equal access for everyone. The application period opens July 1st and will remain open through the August 29th. If applications exceed the supply, applications will move to a lottery system. Enrolled members will receive credits on their electricity bills starting in October. Find more information about the program and eligibility requirements at LPEA's website. The City of Durango launched its Economic Development Incentive program, which is a new program aimed at providing opportunities for local businesses to invest in workforce and infrastructure. The program focuses on six key areas, market-led economic catalyst, empowering local business expansion, nurturing businesses environment and community resilience, diverse range of economic incentives, addressing localized needs, and ensuring transparency and accountability. The program can be individually tailored to unique needs of businesses that apply for the program once their application has been approved. Finding more in-depth explanation of the program and a downloadable guide on the City of Durango's website. Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the "Local News Roundup". I'm Sadie Smith.