Gus Westerman, director of Dolores County CSU Extension and chairman of the Dolores County Development Corp., has been awarded the “Ed Morlan” Economic Development Leader of the Year award by the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado.

Every year, Region 9’s Board of Directors honors a southwest Colorado resident that goes above and beyond his or her paid position and makes a significant positive impact on the regional economy, a Region 9 press release said. Westerman was recognized at Region 9’s 30th anniversary celebration held on March 8 at the Double Tree Hotel in Durango.

Westerman serves as chairman of the all-volunteer Dolores County Development Corporation and puts in numerous hours, leading the county level economic development organization. More recently, Westerman advocated for Dolores County to be approved as Rural Jumpstart County.

“With Gus at the helm, the DCDC is one of Region 9’s thriving economic development groups. This amazing group meets monthly, oversees a business park and runs a microloan program for local businesses,” said Laura Lewis Marchino, Region 9’s executive director.

The was first given in 2001 and was renamed in 2017. Previous winners include Joe Keck, of Southwest Small Business Development Center; Ken Charles, of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs; Gary Masner, Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs; John Wolgamott, Stone Age Tools; and the late Leonard Burch, Southern Ute Tribal Chairman.

For more information, call 970-247-9621.