<\/p>\n
During its June 28 meeting, the Mancos Town Board voted to join the Montezuma County government in declaring the Western Excelsior fire as a disaster.<\/p>\n
On June 19 the Montezuma County commissioners voted to declare the May 8 fire, which destroyed the Western Excelsior Corp. mill in Mancos and caused the loss of more than 100 jobs, an emergency economic disaster.<\/p>\n
The town board voted to make a similar declaration, in the hope it would open up more state assistance. Western Excelsior hasn\u2019t indicated whether it will reopen the mill.<\/p>\n
Just as he did at the commissioners\u2019 meeting, Montezuma County Emergency Manager Paul Hollar spoke about why the fire qualifies as a disaster and the benefits that could come with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is, as we\u2019re finding out, a huge domino effect,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just Western Excelsior.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said most Mancos businesses have been affected by the loss of the mill, and the emergency declaration would help the county\u2019s request for emergency economic assistance from the state. That request is under review by the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.<\/p>\n
Since the fire was listed as an economic disaster, Hollar said any state assistance would likely come in the form of small-business loans and grants to boost the Mancos economy. When board member Cindy Simpson asked whether individuals affected by the fire could receive assistance, he said he didn\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not your normal disaster,\u201d Hollar said. \u201cWe\u2019re kind of learning as we go.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that since the fire has been classified an economic disaster, any government aid would focus on helping the town\u2019s economy recover.<\/p>\n
Interim Town Administrator Heather Alvarez told the board that some local organizations, including Mancos Valley Resources, have hosted fundraisers to provide assistance to former Western Excelsior employees. She mentioned the upcoming Mancos Film Festival, scheduled for July 15, as one example.<\/p>\n
Hollar also mentioned that Western Excelsior has provided severance pay and job search assistance to former employees. \u201cWe live in a great community, where everybody\u2019s helping,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Some board members agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still have decent safety net stuff,\u201d Simpson said.<\/p>\n
The board members \u2013 Mayor Queenie Barz, Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brooks, Craig Benally, Lorraine Becker, Michele Black, Ed Hallam and Cindy Simpson \u2013 voted unanimously in favor of the declaration.<\/p>\n
They also scheduled a business-owner meeting about the declaration for 2 p.m., July 11, in Mancos Town Hall. All affected business owners are invited to attend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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