Business Navigator (Coming Soon)

Business Navigator

One place to start. More ways to grow.

Coming soon: PSCDC is building a new Small Business Navigator Program to make it easier for entrepreneurs and businesses to turn ideas into action, solve challenges, access capital and expertise, and build for long-term success.

The Navigator will serve as a single point of access to business support, helping start-ups and existing businesses move from “Where do I even begin?” to a clearer path forward.

One-on-one advising, business and financial planning, marketing assistance, succession planning, financing connections, specialized resources, and microgrants as funding allows will be part of a broader effort to strengthen local businesses, grow entrepreneurship, and build a more resilient regional economy.

Why the Navigator matters

Starting or growing a business in a rural community can mean navigating lenders, technical-assistance providers, government requirements, training programs, funding opportunities, and other resources spread across different organizations and communities.

Local businesses have identified needs around business planning, marketing, financial management, workforce challenges, and access to capital. The Navigator is being built in direct response to those needs.

Our goal is not to create another layer for businesses to navigate. It is to make the existing system easier to use, fill gaps where support is missing, and help more local businesses start, stabilize, expand, and succeed.

How it works

From idea to next step

Whether someone is exploring a business idea, working through a challenge, preparing to expand, looking for financing, or planning the future of an established company, the Navigator will help identify the next step and connect the business with the support needed to take it.

Start

Business planning, financial guidance, and connections to resources that can help move a business idea toward launch.

Strengthen

One-on-one advising, marketing assistance, financial planning, resource navigation, and support for businesses working through challenges.

Grow

Financing connections, technical assistance, workforce resources, and support for businesses preparing to expand.

Transition

Succession planning and resources to help established businesses prepare for ownership transition and their next chapter.

Access opportunity

Connections to specialized resources, funding opportunities, and microgrants for qualifying businesses as funding allows.

Who it is for

Who the Navigator is for

The Business Navigator is being designed for entrepreneurs and businesses at different stages, including:

People exploring a business idea
Start-up businesses
Existing businesses working through challenges
Businesses preparing to grow or expand
Owners seeking financing or specialized technical assistance
Businesses planning for succession or ownership transition

The funded program is designed to support business start-up, stabilization, expansion, and long-term sustainability.

Where to begin

A clear starting point

You should not have to understand the entire business-support ecosystem before asking for help.

Start with the Navigator. We’ll help identify what you need, clarify your options, and connect you with the right people, programs, financing resources, technical assistance, and next steps.

A major investment in our economic future

The Business Navigator is being launched through a $300,000 Colorado Health Foundation grant supporting a two-year effort to strengthen the region’s workforce and small-business ecosystem, with an additional $40,000 in organizational support from PSCDC.

The investment gives PSCDC an opportunity to build something more lasting than a single program: a stronger system for connecting entrepreneurs, businesses, workforce resources, expertise, capital, and community partners.

By helping more businesses start, survive, grow, and remain locally rooted, the Navigator can help expand opportunity, strengthen local ownership, create jobs, and contribute to a more resilient regional economy. The funded initiative specifically connects entrepreneurship and small-business support with workforce development and broader economic opportunity across Southwest Colorado.

$300,000

Colorado Health Foundation grant

Two years

Two-year initiative

Stronger pathways

Building stronger business and workforce pathways

Status

Program development is underway

PSCDC is now developing the Navigator’s intake process, referral pathways, advising structure, outreach, tracking systems, and microgrant guidelines.

Program details, including microgrant eligibility, award amounts, documentation, and application processes, will be established as implementation moves forward.

Resources and FAQs

Small Business Development Center

Access business advising, planning, and technical assistance.

Questions about the Business Navigator are coming soon.

Contact