Colorado Creative Industries Wins National Innovation Award
The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) today announced Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) as the winner of the 2015 CDFA Excellence in Development Finance Innovation Award. The CDFA award recognizes outstanding development finance programs, agencies, leaders, projects and success stories, and honors excellence in the use of financing tools for economic development, as well as individuals who champion these efforts.
“CDFA is proud to honor Colorado Creative Industries for excellence in development finance. CCI is a unique, statewide emphasis on the extraordinary contribution the arts sector makes to economic success,” said Toby Rittner, President & CEO of CDFA.
CCI has created numerous innovative programs that led to the agency winning this award, including the Colorado Creative Districts. More than 3 million people visited these districts throughout the state in 2014, generating over $893 million in creative industry revenue. Other programs include the Colorado Creative District Community Loan Fund, which provides financing for projects located in Colorado’s creative districts, as well as the new Space to Create program, which is the nation’s first state-driven initiative for affordable housing for artists. This program positions Colorado as the nation’s leader in artist-led community transformation in rural creative placemaking.
About Council of Development Finance Agencies The Council of Development Finance Agencies is a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance concerns and interests. CDFA is comprised of the nation’s leading and most knowledgeable members of the development finance community representing public, private and non-profit entities alike. For more information about CDFA, visit www.cdfa.net.
About Colorado Creative Industries Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado’s state arts agency, is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Established to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to enhance economic growth in Colorado, the mission of Colorado Creative Industries is to promote, support and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado’s economy, grow jobs and enhance our quality of life. www.coloradocreativeindustries.org
