More About Us
About the Pagosa Community Development Corporation
Pagosa Springs is a great place to live, work, create, move or expand your business, raise a family and/or retire. Individuals and business owners have fled the urban markets to enjoy our "Refreshingly Authentic" community. View Our Community Profile.
The mission of the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County by creating jobs; encouraging new capital investment; and creating a business friendly community. In addition, the CDC will work closely with existing businesses in order to maximize their profitability and sustainability.
Our Goals
Members of the business community volunteer their time outside of work to help change the economic future of Pagosa Springs. The Pagosa Springs CDC board members work to:
- Provide strategic direction to the PSCDC organization
- Build economic development networks among constituents including Archuleta County businesses, Region 9 Economic Development District, Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and Colorado Department of Local Affairs
- Help administer Enterprise Zone Tax credits that provide tax incentives to encourage businesses to locate and expand in designated economically distressed areas of the state–those having a high unemployment rate, low per capita income, or a low population growth rate
- Gather, interpret and present data about the economic health of Archuleta County
- Advise businesses as they begin, grow and mature
Corporation Bylaws, Budgets and Policies
CDC Board of Directors
The CDC Board of Directors has nine members who work in diverse segments of the local Archuleta County economy.
Sherry Waner,
Board President
Chief Development Officer,
1st Southwest Bank
Jim Garrett,
Board Vice President
Attorney
Chelle Keplinger,
Board Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer,
Pagosa Springs Medical Center
Todd Mees,
Board Director
Hotel Manager,
The Springs Resort & Spa
Mont McAllister,
Board Director
Entrepreneur
Warren Brown,
Board Director
Archuleta County Commissioner
Rosanna Dufour,
Board Director
Co-Owner,
PJ’s Fine Bamboo Rods
Jenelle Syverson,
Board Director
Owner & Operator,
The Choke Cherry Tree
Brooks Lindner
Board Director
Town Council Representative/
Co-Founder, Sonrisas Spanish
CDC Staff Members
Emily Lashbrooke,
CDC Executive Director
A former restaurant owner and coordinator of the largest motorcycle rally in the area, Emily Lashbrooke understands small businesses and the challenges they face. She works to build bridges between businesses, municipalities, counties, tribal entities, and community members.
Working as the Program Manager for the La Plata County Economic Development Alliance, she created a public-private partnership to develop infrastructure for commercial properties bordering the city of Durango. She also established the Bond to Business Program, keeping nearly $63 million in the region for upcoming construction projects. She helped form the Business Education Connection and the Community Career Development Coalition programs, building the talent pipeline for local workforce.
Emily owned and operated three locations of the Patio, a successful local restaurant, for 19 years. In 2006, when the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally canceled its Ignacio activities, she oversaw a small group of volunteers who staged an event in 10 days. The Ignacio Chamber of Commerce organized the rally for another six years while she served as chairman and coordinator.
Emily was honored as the Rookie of the Year for the Economic Development Council of Colorado in 2021, and she was named Economic Development Leader of the Year for Western Slope Region 9 in 2009. In April 2022, she earned her Economic Development Institute (EDI) Certification at the University of Oklahoma.
Like many residents of Southwest Colorado, Emily enjoys the outdoors during her free time. She is the proud mother of three grown children and adores her five grandchildren.
Kathleen McFadden,
CDC Administrative Manager & Main Street Coordinator
Kathleen serves a dual role providing communication and organizational support for the CDC, as well as coordinating the Main Street Program for the Town of Pagosa Springs.
Kathleen works on behalf of the CDC and the Town to enhance the quality of life for citizens of Pagosa Springs by helping to create jobs, encourage new capital investment, and create a business-friendly community, all while working with existing businesses to help maximize profitability and sustainability.
Have questions? We're here to help...
How can we help make Pagosa home?
If you are interested in opening or relocating a business to Pagosa, the PSCDC has a wealth of resources at their fingertips with a Rapid Response team to assist you. The close ties to the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Southwest Small Business Development Center, Town of Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, and Region 9 Economic Development District give all businesses a leg up on consultation, educational opportunities, and financial assistance.