County working towards revolving loan fund

by Bill Knowles
WALSENBURG—The Huerfano County Commission on Wednesday, Feb 8, heard from the county administrator about the possibility of the county receiving a $50,000 revolving loan fund from the economic development group in Las Animas County.
The Las Animas Economic Development Commission hasnʼt used the funds and has offered to turn them over to Huerfano County along with software that manages the fund. The cost of the software is about $2,000 a year.
John Galusha, Huerfano County Administrator, told the commissioners that the fund could be managed by the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation who would then be responsible for maintaining the software.
At least one company has expressed interest in having a low interest fund available as they expand their business in Huerfano County. Chaé Organics is planning a new manufacturing site west of the Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center.
If the funds are successfully transfered from Las Animas County, Huerfano County, in the future will become eligible for increasing funds from the federal government, that will be used in the revolving loan fund. These types of funds have typically been used for economic development. In the past Huerfano County has had a revolving loan fund but it was closed out because of non use.
Orlando Martinez will be retiring from the countyʼs Road and Bridge Department in the next month. He has been employed with the county for 35 years. County Chair Scott King said he will be missed.
A snag in the plans for the new ambulance building planned for the Northlands District has come up. Because the building is financed in large part by funds from the USDA, an elevator will need to be installed allowing the sleeping area located on the second floor to be accessed from the ground floor.