Roots, rights, and real-world skills
By Lauren Tam
The future of the Falcon region is being built on three distinct pillars: stable local banking, a resurgence in civic education and a revolutionary approach to hands-on student learning. At a recent chamber meeting, the Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce demonstrated how these elements are converging to create a more resilient and connected community.
A legacy of local banking
The morning’s discussions began over a breakfast sponsored by Pueblo Bank and Trust, highlighting their recent acquisition of The State Bank. While the acquisition makes PBT an $860 million institution, Justen Powell, market president, emphasized that the bank remains a family owned entity with deep Colorado roots. Founded in 1889 by Alva Adams, the state’s third governor, PBT is the third oldest chartered bank in Colorado.
Despite its growth and 15 branches statewide, the bank maintains a “small town” feel where staff prioritize personal connections. PBT is expanding its local impact by offering specialized services such as SBA loans, residential construction lending, and a dedicated Trust Department — a fiduciary service rarely found in banks of this size.
Reviving the “lost art” of civics
The Chamber also celebrated the successful conclusion of the National Civics Bee, held on March 28 at Liberty Tree Academy. Chamber board member Joe Graff described civic understanding as a “lost art” and noted a massive surge in local interest, with 73 essays submitted this year — more than the previous few years combined.
The competition, which included a live quiz and essay presentations, crowned three winners who will advance to the state competition in Denver on July 24.
First Place: Sydney (Lewis Palmer Middle School 8th grade).
Second Place: Josephine (The Classical Academy College Pathways 8th grade).
Third Place: Hannah (The Merit Academy 6th grade).
(The chamber preferred first names only.)
The Colorado champion will eventually head to Washington, D.C., to compete for national scholarships totaling $200,000.
Education with an Application
The event’s featured presentation came from Principal Brian Bailey and a panel of students from the Patriot Applied Learning Campus. This unique campus serves 150 students with a focus on “Applied Learning,” ensuring every lesson has a direct real-world application.
The school is currently seeking local business partners to offer internships and job shadowing, allowing students to apply their classroom skills in professional settings. The impact of this hands-on model is already visible:
Construction: Students don’t just study theory; they recently finished a 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom house that is entirely student-built and available for purchase. Students also graduate with OSHA 10 certifications.
Culinary Arts: The program provides professional catering for the district and earns students ServSafe and alcohol safety management certifications.
Embroidery & Design: Students utilize professional equipment to create custom apparel, hoodies and graduation stoles for local organizations and businesses.
The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce remains dedicated to the belief that strong communities are built on the foundation of informed citizens and well-supported local businesses. All interested in growing a vibrant business community should join us the first Wednesday of the month at 7 a.m. at Grace Community Church. Come and network with leaders and business owners.
For more information about the chamber, meeting times and place, visit https://easternplainschamber.com.
