Innovative Fire Mitigation and Erosion Control Company Joins Rural Jump-Start Program, Establishing Headquarters in Durango

DURANGO - 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 Fungal Solutions - Wildfire Ltd, a company that designs and manufactures innovative landscaping solutions for fire mitigation and erosion reduction, has joined the Rural Jump-Start program. The company plans to open its headquarters and facility in Durango.

"Colorado is helping innovative businesses in every industry succeed. I am pleased to welcome Fungal Solutions - Wildfire Ltd to Durango, which has developed a new solution for fire prevention through innovative landscape design and creating defensible spaces, to reduce erosion. Fungal Solutions' innovation will help protect our local communities, grow the local economy, generate jobs, and enhance our quality of life," said Governor Polis.

Fungal Solutions - Wildfire Ltd provides three trade-marked products that use local fungal cultures for fire barriers, wood sponge systems, and erosion control. The company designs, manufactures, and installs three major products: Fungal Fire Barriers™, BioBerm™ Erosion Control Features and WoodSponge™ Water-Retention Features.

"This grant support has a meaningful impact not just on my business, but on Southwest Colorado and the Mountain West as a whole. It helps position Colorado as a leader in practical climate adaptation by supporting businesses focused on real resilience," said Dr. Lauren Czaplicki, Owner of Fungal Solutions- Wildfire Ltd. "My company collaborates with traditional fire mitigation companies, landowners, and landscapers to improve wildfire and drought preparedness while creating broader community benefits including water-rich soils, reduced erosion, lower water use overall, and landscapes better able to withstand increasingly dry conditions."

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.

"We are thrilled to see Fungal Solutions - Wildfire Ltd choose Durango, Colorado for its new headquarters and manufacturing facility. The Rural Jump-Start program is a valuable tool for fostering economic growth and opportunity in our rural communities. This work underscores our commitment to supporting climate adaptation solutions that enhance our state's resilience," said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

Sponsoring entities like Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado (Region 9 EDD) help identify business candidates in their communities and work with each business to help ensure its success in the program and in the community.

"Region 9 Economic Development was happy to sponsor Fungal Solutions - Wildfire Ltd as a Rural Jump-Start Company in La Plata County. Rural Jump-Start provides an opportunity to provide rural businesses the support of the statewide ecosystem. Finding and supporting businesses that offer unique products or services in our region is one of the best parts of my job," stated Laura Lewis Marchino, Region 9 EDD Executive Director.

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.

###