The Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) is a bold new initiative led by IEDC that connects organizations in some of the most economically distressed communities in the U.S. with the talent and capacity needed to advance new ways of doing economic development that promote equity, resilience, and transformative change. 

Dalida Sassoon Bollig, CEO of the Business Incubator Center (BIC) in Grand Junction, Colorado, was matched with ERC fellow Janie VanWinkle, a lifelong rancher native to western Colorado. Bollig recently told IEDC about the impact that VanWinkle is having in rural western Colorado. 

In her role as ERC fellow, VanWinkle has been instrumental in establishing the AgriWest Council, a community-based advisory board uniting diverse agriculture industry stakeholders across western Colorado. Modeled after the Colorado Agriculture Council, AgriWest aims to advance regional economic development solutions for a resilient agricultural future. 

In June VanWinkle brought together more than 100 ag industry stakeholders, some driving more than three hours despite storms and flooding, to participate in discussions focused on the area’s biggest, yet most vulnerable asset—agriculture. Despite losing power during the meeting, attendees, many of whom had never spoken to each other, stayed on to engage in meaningful dialogue about how to work together on shared solutions.  

With 40% of the region’s economy relying on agriculture, BIC’s AgriWest initiative aims to future-proof the industry by diversifying the agricultural sector, creating jobs, and fortifying the local economy. A great example of this approach was a recent partnership VanWinkle brokered with a local school district to serve local beef and produce in school lunches, which will benefit local ranchers and producers as well as provide healthier options for students. According to Bollig, other school districts are set to follow suit with additional farmers and growers in the community interested in partnering with schools.  

VanWinkle’s work has garnered attention from state and federal officials. Senator Michael Bennet visited VanWinkle Ranch, and Senator John Hickenlooper sent a letter of appreciation for her work. 

Bollig praised VanWinkle’s dedication to the community, noting that her work is uniting people behind a shared vision for a better future. 

“Janie’s ability to connect people and solutions demonstrates the real significance of the Economic Recovery Corps program and its ultimate impact on communities across the country,” said ERC senior director, Nicole Manapol.