ALAMOSA – Sarah Stoeber of rural Alamosa County has been named Disaster Recovery Coordinator with the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group (SLVDRG). She began in the position Oct. 1.

“It is great to have Sarah accept the challenge of coordinating a recovery strategy for the San Luis Valley,” said SLVDRG Executive Director Kevin Wilkins. “As a local resident with a long tenure at SLVDRG, she will accelerate the learning curve that goes along with lofty expectations of the new position.”

As Disaster Recover Coordinator, Stoeber’s general responsibilities will focus on identifying economic recovery, mitigation, and potential resiliency projects in the San Luis Valley as the region recovers from the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am excited to undertake this new position of economic Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the San Luis Valley,” Stoeber shared.  “I’m anxious to get started working with local economic development organizations and hometown businesses seeking both recovery and expansion.”

“Sarah will be working in tandem supporting the efforts of local business development and economic development organizations on retention and expansion of businesses in the Valley, and on the recruitment of base industries - businesses that bring money from outside the Valley into the area,” said Wilkins.

Stoeber has been with SLVDRG for eight years serving as a Business Development Director. In that position she has been responsible for originating and service loans for local businesses from the San Luis Valley Business Loan Fund. She also coordinated the Economic Development Mini-Grant program for the San Luis Valley Council of Governments, and managed the San Luis Valley Enterprise Zone Contribution Projects program.

The Disaster Recovery Coordinator is a new position within SLVDRG with an expected term of two years. Funding for the position comes from U.S. Department of Commerce through the Economic Development Administration as part of agency’s national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are appreciative and enthused about the EDA-driven position as it will augment the commitment to growing the economy in concern with the other business resources managed by SLVDRG, including the Business Loan Fund, Small Business Development Fund and the San Luis Valley Enterprise Zone,” Wilkins commented.