For More Information
Contact: Kitty Clemens
Economic Development Director
719-685-9741
CELL (719)-321-8561
September 15, 2005
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shoshone Plaza Facts and Features
Shoshone Plaza was completed with help from numerous government agencies, volunteer groups and charitable foundations. Following is a list of organizations that contributed to the successful completion of Shoshone Plaza.
El Pomar Foundation
El Pomar Foundation, based in Colorado Springs, is one of the largest and
oldest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West, with assets totaling
$500 million dollars. El Pomar contributes approximately $20 million annually
through grants and Community Stewardship Programs to support Colorado nonprofit
organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities
and civic and community initiatives. Spencer and Julie Penrose founded El
Pomar in 1937
Gay and Lesbian Fund for
Colorado
The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado is a program of the Gill Foundation.
The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado has a dual mission: to support community
nonprofits that offer equal opportunity regardless of sexual orientation,
and to raise public awareness of the contributions that gay men and lesbians
make to Colorado. Since its inception in 1995, the fund has granted more than
$15 million to support a wide range of nonprofit work throughout the state
and is expected to award 1.5 million in 2005.
Manitou Springs Art Commission
The Manitou Springs Arts Commission (MSAC) was established for the purpose
of serving both artists and the community. An umbrella organization for the
Arts in Manitou, the MSAC supports the visual, performance, holistic, literary
and culinary disciplines. This diverse and eclectic range of art is a reflection
of the unique place that is Manitou Springs, founded as a health resort in
the 1880s and at present a flourishing artists’ colony. Our mission is to
preserve, promote and pursue a collaboration between the Arts and the community
of Manitou Springs.
Colorado Department of
Transportation
The mission of the Colorado Department of Transportation is to provide the
best multi modal transportation system for Colorado that most effectively
moves people, goods and information. The Colorado Department of Transportation
administers federal highway fund and assists communities throughout Colorado
is the construction and maintenance of federal highway projects.
The Manitou Springs Mineral
Springs Foundation
In 1986 a movement was organized to “save the mineral springs” of Manitou
Springs. This group became the Mineral Springs Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization whose goal is “TO RESTORE, PROTECT AND PUBLICIZE THE NATURAL
MINERAL SPRINGS AND TO DOCUMENT THEIR HISTORIC ORIGINS.” Funding for the restoration,
repairs and documentation comes from individual donations of money, time &
labor, as well as the generosity of numerous area businesses and organizations.
In addition to the restorations of the springs, the Foundation has been able
to create an Endowment Fund for the continued protection of the springs into
the future, and has been pivotal in the raising of funds to research the aquifer
system that supplies the springs, in the eventual hope of providing mineral
water bathing/soaking facilities to the community.
Manitou Springs Economic
Development Council
The mission of the Manitou Springs Economic Development Council is to provide
leadership for a collaborative, consensus-building process in which the EDC,
city government, and various community organizations can work together to
bring about positive and profitable change, while preserving Historic Manitou
Springs and its unique mix of tourism, health and healing cultures/mineral
springs, arts community, and the recreational natural surroundings.
Central Manitou Springs Business Improvement District
The Central Manitou Springs Business Improvement District is the product of
strong business, government and community collaboration. Merchants in the
district work together to insure a long-term goal of a clean, safe, vibrant
visitor destination area reflective of its historic heritage that is attractive
and welcoming to both visitors and residents, and contributes to the economic
prosperity of Manitou Springs.
# # #
Manitou Springs Ahead is a citizen driven
volunteer effort to implement the Manitou Avenue Master Plan. Citizens from
numerous community groups formed Manitou Springs Ahead to submit
charitable grant requests, solicit individual legacy gifts and work with
government agencies on final design and construction in historic downtown.
Progress updates can be found at
www.manitouspringsahead.com.