Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The Hayden School District is asking the town to help fund the vocational building expansion.

The Town Board will consider the matter tonight.

Hayden Town Manager Russ Martin has recommended the town contribute $20,000 in addition to the $3,000 the town already has committed.

The Hayden School District's goal is to raise $250,000 in private donations by Feb. 24, when the School Board will make a presentation for an Energy and Mineral Impact grant. Since the fundraising drive kicked off earlier this month, more than $150,000 has been raised in private donations.

"I believe that we should contribute to this project on behalf of the community, and our community plan supports such action," Martin said. "If we are to encourage location of businesses in our community, we need to take steps to provide a skilled workforce locally as well."

Coming up with a dollar figure was difficult, Martin said, and he thinks contributing to the project should be considered an aspect of economic development for the town.

"There are a lot of positive aspects to this project," Martin said. "What it comes down to is how much of the taxpayers' dollars do we contribute to this project."

Martin's recommendation also includes the town consider additional funding requests in the future.

"It leaves the door open - if you will - for the future," Martin said.

The Town Board also will:

- consider adopting the fee schedule for the coming year

- consider a GOCO grant agreement

- consider revisions to the Hayden Economic Development Commission bylaws.