Royal Gold’s economic contribution to the I-80 Fund supports small businesses and NGM’s efforts help improve the socioeconomic well-being of its nearby communities; both contribute to SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Royal Gold has been invested in Cortez for many years, which NGM operates. In late 2022, Royal Gold donated $140,000 to the NGM-established I-80 Fund to help contribute to the region’s small business community. NGM established the I-80 Fund in July 2020 with an initial $5 million investment. The Fund provides low-interest loans to small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19, or new business start-ups and expansions. In 2022, 19 loans were approved, 57 jobs were created, and 57 jobs retained.