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The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) has named Nikki Maloney director of business support. This position is important in supporting small businesses in the state to thrive as a vital part of Colorado’s economy.
Maloney originally joined OEDIT in 2019 to promote the growth of the Employee Ownership Commission and the office created by the Governor’s Police Executive Order. In the year In 2021, Maloney was appointed Deputy Director of the Business Support Division, then Interim Director (February 2022) and now Director of the Business Support Division.
“Small businesses are the engine of our state’s economy. 99.5% of all businesses in Colorado are small businesses employing over one million Coloradans,” said Maloney. “As a former business owner, it is an honor to serve in this capacity to enhance the business community’s growth and impact on the state’s gross domestic product. The role small businesses play in all of our lives is something to be celebrated and I am excited to lead and work with a passionate team to help Colorado’s diverse business community thrive.
The Division of Business Assistance provides technical and financial assistance to Colorado business owners and entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses through no- or low-cost mentoring and access-to-capital programs through the Small Business Development Center Network, the Office of Minority Business, the Office of Employee Ownership and the Office of Cannabis Business.
I have worked with Maloney for the past 2.5 years as former chairman and sitting commissioner of the Colorado Employee Ownership Commission. Maloney is one of the most effective, action-oriented, and exciting members of state government I have ever worked with,” said Jason Wiener, president of Jason Wiener PC.
During her time at OEDIT, Maloney worked tirelessly to help Colorado’s small businesses manage the epidemic. Maloney and the Business Support Group have created ways for Colorado business owners to understand, navigate and monitor employee-owned business structures for themselves, their employees and their communities after they exit their businesses. Over the past two years, they have helped more than 40 Colorado businesses add employee ownership structures to their operations, equating to more than 1,100 Colorado employee owners.
“Maloney has made a tremendously positive impact on Colorado’s small business community. Under her leadership, OEDT’s Business Support team has provided invaluable resources that have enabled small businesses and entrepreneurs to overcome the challenges of the past few years and will undoubtedly help them thrive in the years to come. We are honored to have her as our Director of Business Support.” “We are very pleased,” said OEDT Executive Director Patrick Meyers.
In the year In 2020, Maloney was recognized as the Governor’s Police Public Servant of the Year in recognition of the initiative she led at OEDIT to help businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Maloney and her team received the Colorado District Office of Small Business Administration’s Diamond Award for establishing a business support hotline during the outbreak, as well as the Colorado Bar Association’s Pandemic Heroes Award. The latter comes in response to efforts to launch the Colorado Covid Legal Assistance Program in partnership with the Attorney General’s Office, the Colorado Bar Association and the legal community.
Connie Talmadge, executive director of the Colorado Bar Association, offered the following insight into working with Maloney: “Nicky Maloney’s commitment to small business recovery and success is unparalleled—in many cases where others would have turned to bankruptcy attorneys, Maloney was steadfast.” We look at alternative referrals that increase the chances of the business recovering. Maloney has spent countless hours reviewing applications and making recommendations for appropriate services to help small businesses. As one of two lawyers on the steering committee, Maloney’s performance and insights were important.
Prior to joining OEDIT, Maloney owned an outdoor recreation manufacturing business in Denver, Colorado. She understands the stresses and challenges that business owners face. Maloney works in the Denver Office of Economic Development and International Trade and at CH2M Hill, creating and managing the Colorado Environmental Business Alliance (CEBA) and the Strategic Environmental Project Pipeline (StEPP) Foundation.
A graduate of the University of Denver School of Public Policy, Maloney is married with two college-aged children and enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending live music events and art exhibitions.
Maloney’s promotion to director is effective in June 2022.
About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with partners to create a positive business environment that promotes dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, we strive to advance the state’s economy through financial and technical assistance that encourages local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado. OEDIT offers a number of programs and services designed to support business development at all levels, including business retention services, business relocation services, and business funding and incentives. Our office includes an international business development department; Colorado Tourism Office; Colorado Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Industry; Colorado Creative Industries; Department of Trade Finance and Incentives; Colorado Small Business Development Network; Cannabis Business Bureau; Colorado Film, TV and Media Bureau; Office of Minority Business; Bureau of Labor Ownership; and Office of Rural Opportunity. Learn more at oedit.colorado.gov.
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