Oh my--well,yes, the D&S received State Historical Fund money for the Needleton tank which they had to match with in kind work/services or cash.If I recall correctly the total project was roughly $80,000. I have it in my paper work buried someplace, but that took place 13 years ago.
The D&S was the recipient of an emergency loan through the Region 9 economic loan program during the 2002 Durango fire to cover mainly payroll and certain operating expenses and that loan, for about 1/2 million, carried an interest expense and was repaid on schedule. But not a grant, a regular loan. Then there have been several more loans to cover the cost of diesel engine rehabilitation through Region 9, and again, not grants but loans, all of which have had excellent repay records. I am on that loan committee. I think there was a bus loan in there somewhere, but a loan, not a grant, and these are market rate loans that usually carry a 1 to 2% premium over what a commercial loan would cost. There has never been a repayment question with the D&S.
And like any prudent business, the D&S utilizes tax credits which they most recently used in the Grand Imperial Hotel rehabilitation which was a certified historic tax credit for roughly one million dollars. I don't have the figures at hand but it is public information that has been published. Even I and my business partner put together one of these historic tax credit proposals for a project in Silverton that was approved by the Department of the Interior. It's not magic or politics but a valid project written up and submitted in proper form.
These are the only projects I have been involved in or have direct knowledge--there may well be others. Historic preservation can earn certain tax credits, receive grants which may come with strings attached, etc. It's how we go about the costly process of saving and preserving historic sites, buildings, artifacts. In addition to the budgeted appropriations from the two state legislatures, the C&T has received Colorado State Historic fund grants. Even state owned or public structures like court houses can receive grant money, always on a better match ratio than privately owned properties.
