Comcast has significantly bolstered small businesses in Southern Colorado through its RISE program, awarding $500,000 in grants and services to 100 local enterprises. The initiative, focusing on Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment, provides a blend of financial aid, technology upgrades, marketing support, and educational resources to foster long-term economic resilience.
The selection of Southern Colorado as one of only five communities nationwide for the 2024 Comcast RISE program highlights the region's pivotal role in Comcast's broader economic development strategy. Launched in November 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has since shifted towards sustaining and empowering small businesses and their communities over the long haul.
J.D. Keller, Regional Senior Vice President of Comcast Mountain West Region, underscored the company's dedication to local business success, stating the program's aim to ensure these businesses not only survive but thrive and make a lasting impact across Colorado. The program's benefits are already tangible for recipients like Erin Welch of RAD Hostel and Rique Lucero of ColorSplashPaintball, who anticipate enhanced business operations and growth opportunities from the support received.
Comcast RISE Day, held at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum, served as a convergence point for grant recipients, local officials, and Comcast leaders, offering networking, education, and recognition opportunities. The event also featured a marketplace connecting businesses with local resources and insights into leveraging artificial intelligence for business growth, presented by Jonathan Liebert of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado.
As part of Project UP, Comcast's $1 billion commitment to digital equity, the RISE program exemplifies the company's investment in connecting communities to the Internet, advancing economic mobility, and fostering future innovators. By addressing the multifaceted needs of small businesses, Comcast RISE is setting a benchmark for corporate support in regional economic development, ensuring Southern Colorado's businesses are equipped to navigate the challenges of today's economic landscape.
