The Lost Creek Guide is Honored to have been named Business of the Year 2021 by the Southeast Weld Chamber of Commerce!
Volume 14 • Edition 19
October 20, 2021
Delivering to over 11,500 homes & businesses in rural Adams, Morgan, and Weld Counties
“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light” George Washington “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed” Thomas Jefferson
The Block is Coming to Fort Morgan
by Geoff Baumgartner There is a new project underway in Fort Morgan, and it is going to be in a familiar location. It is called The Block, and it is moving forward quickly, according to Morgan County Economic Development Corporation’s Executive Director Kristin Clifford-Basil. “In the spring of 2020 I served on a panel with one of my Economic Development Board Members as a judge for local businesses seeking grants to either start or expand their business. One of the businesses travelled to the front range to rent commissary kitchen space to manufacture their food product that does not fall under the Cottage Foods Act,” Clifford-Basil explained. “At this point, the need for a commissary kitchen Julie Stiewig is the site manager for The Block, in Morgan County was identified.” located at the former Country Steak Out. “The Country Steak Out was identified (Geoff Baumgartner / The Lost Creek Guide) as a location for the commissary kitchen, after having conversations with the owner of The Country Steak Out and learning of their desire to sell,” Clifford-Basil said. Once the project and location were identified, Clifford-Basil and others involved worked to develop a plan to make the idea a reality. “I was fortunate to be having a conversation with a consulting organization that asked what projects I was working on in Morgan County. I listed a few and then mentioned the commissary kitchen as an idea that was being explored,” Clifford-Basil explained. “The individual I was talking to had just received a grant to develop business plans for similar projects in rural communities and asked if they could work with me on the development of this project. We spent eight months researching commissary projects across the U.S. with the hope that we would develop a template that other communities could use to implement similar projects,” Clifford-Basil said. According to Clifford-Basil, now that The Block is a reality she will continue as an advisor to the board of directors that manages the project and its users. “MCEDC will continue supporting The Block in their efforts as well as any users of The Block. The hope is The Block will serve as an entrepreneur launch pad for food related industries,” she said. “Whether an individual wanting to start a new restaurant but unsure of what the community will support, food trucks that need the commercial kitchen, a food manufacturer that doesn’t fall under the Cottage Food Act and needs a commercial kitchen to rent, or someone that does fall under the Cottage Food Act and wants to expand and produce more, existing restaurants that want to expand their business and explore catering but doesn’t have the space in their restaurant,” Cifford Basil said. “MCEDC will work as a resource for any of the entities that need support starting up or expanding.” According to the MCEDC Executive Director, the Block is set up as a non-profit organization with a board of directors and a site manager that oversees the everyday operations of the facility. The project’s site manager, Julie Stiewig, says she’s excited about the venture. “It’s a dream job to say the least. I’m proud to be a part of this community and lucky to be influenced by such knowledgeable and passionate humans.” The role of the site manager entails overseeing the use of all shared spaces at The Block, which includes scheduling, recruiting, organizing and maintaining a safe and compliant facility, according to Stiewig. “I am also responsible for marketing, social media and being the main point of contact for The Block, along with any other needs that support the organization. I report all activity back to our board of directors, and we work together to ensure that we are staying true to our mission and including as much of the community as possible,” she said. According to the site manager, there are other functions the project will eventually provide. “The Block will also be home to two anchor tenants, a bar and a cafe. These entities will operate independently from The Block and are great assets to our vision of a community gathering space and small business promotion,” Stiewig said. “During operating hours, cafe products may be enjoyed in the commons or taken to-go, and the bar will have it’s own seating available.” All kitchen and event space inquiries can be directed to the site manager. Stiewig can be contacted by calling 970-867-7887 or by email at julie@theblock-mc.com.
RE3J Weld Central High School & Middle School Career & College Fair The WCHS and WCMS career and college fairs held on 10/13/2021 at WCHS were a great success! Students from both the high school and middle school participated in the events, and the turn out for businesses and colleges was fantastic. More than 45 businesses were in attendance and more than 35 colleges and universities participated. Students engaged in conversations around career and college Career fair participants, complimentary readiness with industry professionals. A big thanks to all participating photo by The Lost Creek Guide businesses/ colleges for taking the time out of their busy day to attend the fairs that made them successful. The students were excited to show off their swag and to share messages of appreciation for the fairs and how they learned about opportunities. It’s great to have the community come together to support students with college and career readiness skills and we look forward to our growing partnerships to provide many more work-based learning opportunities for the students to come. Please contact deborahfeketa@re3j.com if you’re a business that’s interested in joining the WELD RE3J school district in a community to support preparing students for today’s workforce. Weld Central High School Staff.
High Plains Bank Opens New Facility with a BBQ at 165 N. Market Street in Keenesburg
Christina Roskop, Isabel Granados, Heather Huck, Lindsey Skinner, Perry Bell, Krista Gibson, John Creighton, Mark Kinnear & Faith Huston
High Plains Bank Opens New Facility in Keenesburg with BBQ Pictures On Page 9...
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WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE:
Way of the World 2021 SE Weld Chamber of Commerce Banquet Loveland Archaeological Society Stone Age Fair 2021 Keenesburg Celebration of Heroes Fort Lupton Great Plains Field of Honor Keenesburg Thank You Proclamation Remapping 2021: Colorado Political Maps Update