Representatives Will and Amabile, co-prime bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 21-229 to the committee.  The bill creates the Rural Jump-Start Zone Grant Program to issue grants to new businesses that establish inside a rural jump-start zone and tier one transition communities, and to institutions of higher education or economic development organizations.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Andrea Blankenship, representing Colorado Office of Economic Development, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Blankenship responded to questions from the committee.

Commissioner George Marlin, representing Clear Creek County, testified in support of the bill.

Richard Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Orf responded to questions from the committee.