Montezuma County Commissioners renewed the Rural Jump-Start Zone program for five years Tuesday, offering state income and sales tax breaks to new businesses and income tax breaks for the businesses’ employees.

Any business is eligible as long as it does not compete with an existing business where it proposes to open.

The Rural Jump-Start program, administered by the Colorado Tourism Office, has been available in Montezuma County since 2017, but commissioners acknowledged in their meeting Tuesday that they’ve “dropped the ball” in marketing it. The program, which offers tax breaks for eight years, has not been widely used.

Commissioners instructed county Administrator Shak Powers to reach out to make sure the Montezuma County Planning Department knows the program has been extended. When new businesses apply for permits, they will be encouraged to opt into the Rural Jump-Start program.

County Commissioner Larry Don Suckla said in a brief phone interview after the meeting that he hopes an agency such as the Mesa Verde Country Tourism Office would help promote the program, to attract businesses and workers to Montezuma County. The county offers outdoor recreation opportunities but few jobs, he said.

“The main thing for me as a commissioner is what we can do to bring our youths back after they go to school,” Suckla said.

Currently, Suckla said, students move after they graduate, and grandparents then move out of the county to be closer to their grandchildren.

“It’s healthy to have more young people here,” Suckla said, “so we will do anything we can to encourage youths to stay here.”

Montezuma County started a loan program after the state began its COVID-19 restrictions. The low-cost loans, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, help businesses meet payroll, rent and utilities.

There is no interest on the loan if it is paid back in less than a year, and 1% interest if it is paid back in less than two years. The loan converts to a prime interest rate after the second year.

According to the county website, interested businesses should email Jenny@scan.org and Brian@scan.org with an application that includes a job development statement, a personal financial statement, a 2019 year-end profit and loss statement and a balance sheet, as well as a written narrative on how the funds will help support the business in the coming months.

ehayes@the-journal.com