by Beecher Threatt

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Ouray County's creative district committee, also known as 'G3' for the third Bottom Up goal, will meet with Gov. John Hickenlooper in Montrose on Saturday.

The purpose of the meeting is for the governor to hear from Western Slope groups planning to develop creative districts. In 2012, the state will designate two top tier creative districts to receive $15,000 in funding as well as consulting and marketing expertise. Thirteen other districts will receive second and third tier designations and benefits.

With the deadline of Jan. 31 approaching, G3 has geared up to put together an application that complies with guidelines announced in December by the Creative Industries Division of the governor's Office of Economic Development. The Town of Ridgway will be lead applicant.

Committee Chair Michael McCullough, the driving force behind the application, has been visiting community and government groups, gathering resolutions and letters of support for a creative district in the heart of Ridgway. Other committee members are preparing maps, gathering data and other content, and preparing documents for uploading to the application website.

"We are fortunate to have a group of people, each with their own expertise," McCullough said. "Everyone is exceeding expectations.