Red Feather Industries to Bring up to 80 jobs to Huerfano County with Support from the Rural Jump-Start Program

WALSENBURG - Today, Governor Polis and the Business Funding and Incentives (BF&I) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Red Feather Industries, LCA, an employee-owned, off-site housing manufacturer, has joined the Rural Jump-Start program. The company plans to open a new factory in Walsenburg, Colorado.

"I am excited to welcome Red Feather Industries to southern Colorado, which will create 80 new, good-paying rural jobs. Businesses in every corner of our state are growing and Red Feather's innovative modular housing solutions will help create more housing in communities Coloradans love," said Governor Polis.

Red Feather manufactures wood-based modular housing off site and plans to build single and multi-family homes for individuals and families earning 80-120% Area Median Incomes (AMI). As a worker cooperative, Red Feather is owned collectively by employees and profits go back to employees. Over the next four years, the company plans to hire 80 new employees.

"Being accepted into Colorado's Rural Jump-Start Program is an exciting milestone for Red Feather Industries. This opportunity reinforces our commitment to creating innovative, high-quality, and affordable housing solutions while investing in the economic future of rural Colorado," said Red Feather Industries. "We are proud to expand our operations, create meaningful jobs for worker-owners, develop strategic partnerships, and help address the growing demand for attainable housing across the region. We appreciate OEDIT's confidence in our vision and look forward to contributing to stronger, more resilient rural communities."

The Rural Jump-Start program encourages economic development and job creation in economically distressed, rural counties of Colorado. This incentive supports new businesses that start or locate in participating Rural Jump-Start Zones, create new good-paying jobs, and export goods and services to customers outside the Rural Jump-Start Zone. The company will receive $15,000 in grant funding to support the launch of its operations, as well as four years of tax benefits through the Rural Jump-Start program. Eligible employees will also receive a state personal income tax credit while the company is in the program.

"Red Feather Industries' innovative off-site construction methods will help support the creation of more housing in communities across the state. Their model as an employee-owned cooperative is a powerful example of how we can support shared resilience and economic growth in Colorado," said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

Sponsoring entities like Trinidad State College help identify business candidates in their communities and work with each business to help ensure its success in the program and in the community.

"Rural Jump-Start isn't just an incentive-it's a lifeline for Colorado's rural communities, turning economic distress into opportunity by helping new businesses take root, create good-paying jobs, and build resilient local economies that can thrive for generations. Red Feather Industries will not only provide well-paying jobs, but they will address the need for quality, affordable housing. Trinidad State College was happy to support their application for Rural Jump Start," stated Donna Haddow, Continuing Education Coordinator at Trinidad State College.

To learn more about the Rural Jump-Start program, please contact Quina Weber-Shirk at [email protected].

About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado's economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire-and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.

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