In a nationwide press release, Etsy and Master Card announced that Pueblo is one of the recipients of the Etsy Makers Cities grant which supports local creative business entrepreneurs. The grant, which provides $40,000 in cash and a wealth of technical assistance from Etsy, Master Card, and their partners, is only given to five different communities each year.

Shelly Dunham, Executive Director of SCEDD, says that Pueblo has for decades been a city built by people with creativity, ingenuity, a hard work ethic, and a strong commitment to community. But while many have been able be successful in this business climate, there are still some who are not. Dunham says SCEDD and its partners wants to change the outlook for those companies by providing custom-designed help and creating an environment that creates more opportunities.

“Pueblo is fortunate to have a number of organizations committed to supporting startups and entrepreneurs. These groups, including Southern Colorado Innovation Link, Southern Colorado SBDC, Pueblo Diversified Industries, Pueblo Makes, Startup Pueblo, the Kadoya Artrepreneur Program, and SCEDD look forward to spending the next year, with the generous support of Etsy, Master Card, and their partners, helping Pueblo makers and creatives realize the dream of turning their passions into local businesses,” said Dunham.

In a letter of support for the grant, Mayor Nick Gradisar says the grant would ‘leverage considerable local resources dedicated to the startup community.’ Gradisar says programs would be launched which will be custom designed for the incubation of microbusinesses. Populations who ordinarily do not have a seat at the table, the mayor says, can now be reached.

Etsy is a global destination for unique and creative goods which offers a range of tools and services that address key business needs. Etsy was founded in 2005 and is based out of Brooklyn, New York.