The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) presents a $1 million check for the new Build Pagosa regional workforce center slated to be built near Pagosa Springs High School on July 29. The grant was selected and authorized through the Congressional Directed Spending program and will go toward the construction costs with the new facility. Included in the photo are Sallie Clark, state director, Colorado Rural Development, USDA; Will Ridlehoover, executive director of Build Pagosa; Adam Hirshberg, board member of Build Pagosa; Nick Freelen, Public Works director, Town of Pagosa Springs; Maddie Bergon, council member for the town and construction project manager for Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County; Leah Ballard, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County; Darren Lewis, Parks and Recreation director for the town; Emily Lashbrooke, executive director of the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation and board member for Build Pagosa; David Harris, town manager; Leonard Martinez, council member for the town; Irene Etsitty, Colorado Rural Development, USDA; and other staff members.
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