The Purpose of the West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC) is to create and encourage an inviting, pro-business environment, integrated with our independent spirit and friendly culture, while capitalizing on our natural and historic resources.

The West End Economic Development Corporation, a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 2013 to create and encourage a friendly pro-business environment in the West End of Montrose County. This organization approached that by nurturing and developing entrepreneurs and new business owners, supporting existing employers and small business owners, and recruiting new industries and primary jobs to the region.

WEEDC operates on three goals that provided the framework for achieving a pro-business   environment while maintaining the West End culture and community.

  1. Ensure that the West End has the resources needed to support business expansion, formation, and attraction. 

  2. Provide a regulatory environment and the infrastructure to support culturally compatible business development. 

  3. Build on the strong sense of identity in the West End to become a magnet for diverse talent on the Western Slope. 

WEEDC is a membership organization, that fosters partnerships with state, regional, and local organizations that share our interests. Our current partners and members in business and government allow us to bring in resources, financing and incentives, cut red tape and break down barriers to job creation. 

WEEDC staffs a team of talented professional to provide services to employers, small businesses and entrepreneurs interested in doing business in the West End. These services include, but are not limited to:

  • Site Selection Assistance

  • Small Business Development and Counseling

  • Marketing

In addition, the WEEDC office building will soon be a coworking space for small businesses and entrepreneurs providing an economic development catalyst for the West End. 

WEEDC Staff

Makayla Gordon 
Interim Executive Director

mgordon@choosewestend.org

Makayla Gordon is the Interim Executive Director for West End Economic Development Corporation. Following graduation from college, Makayla started her professional career at Telluride Ski and Golf Resort as the Retail Manager. Makayla Gordon grew up here in the West End, Norwood specifically. After graduating from Norwood High School, she attended the University of Northern Colorado, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

With her extensive background in business management, she has relocated back to the West End to provide her knowledge and skills to grow our community. With her knowledge of our local history, Makayla will make our home’s legacy thrive amid the ever-changing and growing world we live in today.
Makayla is raising her two sons with her partner here in the place she is most passionate about. She loves getting outside on the weekends with her family and her 2 dogs. She enjoys spending time with her extended family in the area hunting, fishing, hiking, or even just working outside.

2023 Board of Directors

The Board of Directors for WEEDC includes thirteen members, representing a variety of interests within our community.

PRESIDENT
Aimee Tooker
Owner & Founder, Tallies and Tasks

After receiving her certificate in Business Administration from Delta Montrose Technical College, Aimee went on to found Tallies and Tasks, a bookkeeping company. She frequently conducts business with non-profit organizations, where she observed the need for economic growth in the West End. Aimee enjoys spending time with her family, wildlife watching, hunting, fishing and hiking in her spare time.

VICE PRESIDENT
Richard Wolney
Retired Mine Manager

Richard worked with the New Horizon Mine for over 14 years, and oversaw the final closure. He resides in Paradox, Colo. with his wife.

SECRETARY / TREASURER
Kenny Heldman
Owner, Kenny’s Tires

​Kenny has owned and operated Kenny’s Tires for over 25 years, providing a valuable service to the West End community. Kenny serves on the Farmer’s Ditch Water Board as a Trustee, and has been a committed member of the community for over 50 years.

DIRECTOR
April Montgomery
Programs Director, Telluride Foundation

​April has worked as the Programs Director for the Telluride Foundation for nine years, where she helps to manage their nonprofit building capacity efforts, grant program and initiatives. From 2001 to 2009, April had a consulting business, where she provided nonprofit and government organizations with grant writing, legal, project management, strategic planning and land use planning assistance. April was a planner and the Open Space & Recreation Director for San Miguel County from 1991 to 1999. She has a BA degree in Government from the University of Virginia and received her law degree from the University of Virginia in 1989; she is currently a member of the Colorado Bar.

DIRECTOR
Carrie Andrew
Executive Director, Lone Cone Library District

​Carrie has been the Executive Director for the Lone Cone Library District for over 10 years. She joined the WEEDC Board in January, 2021.

Job Openings

Executive Director
West End Economic Development Corporation
Job Description

West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC), is a 501(c)3 non-profit regional economic development organization serving the communities located in western Montrose and San Miguel Counties. The executive director leads the organization to implement the mission, goals and strategies to create a diverse and resilient economy. Working under the direction of the WEEDC Board of Directors, the executive director is responsible for the overall management and operations of WEEDC and The Collective Mine Coworking space.

Responsibilities:
• Business Attraction, Retention and Expansion for the West End region
• Facilitate access to private capital investment and provide related capacity building and technical assistance
• Administrative, project, and fiscal management of the organization
• Provide administrative oversight of WEEDC grant activities, including reporting and grant writing activities as needed
• Manage congressional appropriations, if applicable
• Supervise staff and volunteers
• Liaison with local/state and federal government, local organizations, regional organizations, and other key stakeholders
• Advocate for all West End communities at the local, regional, state, and federal levels
• Community outreach and engagement
• Work closely with West End communities
• Manage special projects as directed by board of directors
• Represent the organization in a variety of public settings
• Work with local government on pro-business regulations and services
• Market the organization and region as applicable

Required Competencies:
• Independence & leadership: Comfortable developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. Demonstrated willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Complex problem solving: Possesses excellent conceptual and analytical problem solving skills, with experience in tackling a range of strategic and operational issues.
• Project management: Demonstrated track record of managing and delivering against complex scopes and under tight timelines. Possesses strong organizational skills, with ability to multitask and manage several work streams, partners and projects at once.
• Interpersonal and communication Skills: Emanates a collaborative demeanor to build rapport and establish credibility with team members and partners. Must be responsive to the needs communicated (including non-verbal, implied, cultural sensitivity) by the individual with whom (s)he is interacting, adapting style and medium to meet individuals from diverse backgrounds “where they are.”
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Possesses a natural instinct to seek out the next challenge. Operates with a clear sense of purpose, comfortable with ambiguity and change.

Preferred Competencies:
• Experience: Direct economic development experience as a manager or director of programs.
• Understanding of workforce landscape: Experience in the career services sector, public sector space (e.g., workforce development), small business development, human resources, and/or education is beneficial.
• Case Management: Demonstrated ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the options and services required for a client.

Job Details:
• Location: West End, San Miguel & Montrose Counties
• Title: Executive Director
• Reports to the WEEDC Board of Directors
• Compensation: $65,000- $85,000 DOQ
• Travel: Ability to travel within Colorado (regional and statewide travel)

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to Makayla at mgordon@choosewestend.org.