Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County is seeking input from local residents, businesses, economic development organizations and other interested parties on the creation of a countywide economic development plan.

An important part of identifying the top economic development priorities and needs for Boulder County is an online survey that is open to everyone through the month of March.

Boulder County’s economic development plan will be informed by survey results specific to the community, along with input from a range of stakeholders and information from existing municipal and organizational economic development plans.

“While most of our municipalities already have formal economic development plans, this survey provides a unique opportunity for residents in Boulder County that otherwise aren’t involved in business or local government networks to provide their input on our local economy’s priorities and issues,” said Leslie Irwin, policy analyst in the Boulder County Commissioners’ Office.

Gov. John Hickenlooper has requested economic development plans from each Colorado county to capture priorities, strategies, actions, expected outcomes, primary partners, available and needed resources, and timelines. The effort is being coordinated by the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

The effort calls for the county plans to be combined into 14 regional plans by May 15. Boulder County’s plan will be a part of the Metro Denver regional plan. As part of Gov. Hickenlooper’s goal to create an economic development plan “from the bottom-up,” the regional plans will then be rolled into one statewide plan.

Aside from the survey, Boulder County residents can provide input online at www.advancecolorado.com/bottomup, by email to input@state.co.us, by fax to 303-892-3848, and by mail to Bottom Up Economic Development Initiative, 1625 Broadway, Suite 2700, Denver, CO 80202.

For more information, visit www.advancecolorado.com/bottomup or contact Leslie Irwin at 303-441-3546 or lirwin@bouldercounty.org.