Local Industry Grant Hire, Train, Retain (LIGHTR)

Looking to provide professional development? Want to retain quality talent? LIGHTR is a collaboration between the Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development and the City of Fort Collins Economic Health Office designed to help your small business acquire training and certifications for your employee(s).

Your small business may be eligible for training assistance if your business meets the following criteria: 

• Has 1-50 employees
• Located within Larimer County
• If your business is located within Fort Collins, it must be compliant with city sales tax. If you are unsure if your business is compliant with the City of Fort Collins sales tax, please email business@fcgov.com.
• Pays into unemployment insurance for employees
• Provides workers' compensation insurance for employees

Interested businesses must be able to identify a training or certification that benefits their business and employees. LIGHTR does not provide the training or certification.

LIGHTR funding will cover up to $3000 of the total training cost per business.

• Tuition
• Training Materials
• Certification/Licensure Costs

Training funded by this program must meet the following criteria:

• May not exceed more than 12 months in duration
• Must lead to a form of measurable gain for the employee, the business, or both, which includes but is not limited to:
  • Increase in employee wage, hours, etc.
  • Employee promotion
  • Employee earned industry-recognized certificate
  • Training filled a skill gap in the business
  • Training leads to increased business revenue, production, and/or capacity

Why should you apply?

• Fill existing skill gaps exist in your business.
• Access funds to offset the cost of professional development.
• Upskill current staff to fill key positions.
• Improve retention by creating a positive impact for both the business and the employee.

Apply for the LIGHTR Grant

Aplicación disponible en español.

Para presentar la solicitud en español, vaya a la bandera en la esquina superior derecha de la solicitud y seleccione Español.

Equal Opportunity, Accessibility and Veterans Priority of Service

Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development is an equal opportunity agency and supports Veterans priority of service.  Qualified persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations with seven business days’ notice by emailing  lcewd-ada@larimer.org or calling 970.498.6600 or Relay Colorado 711.  Accommodation requests will be honored when possible but may be unavailable if advance notice is not provided.  

LCEWD offers a wide variety of programs and services.  If you don't qualify for training, our workforce experts can connect you to other services.