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March 18-March 31, 2015 — COLORADO REAL ESTATE JOURNAL — Page 11AA
Economic Development News
Mayor Michael B. Hancock
announced that the city’s 2014
business development plan
sparked a successful year for
job growth, creating 3,311 new
jobs, retaining 4,083 jobs, help-
ing 119 firms expand and mak-
ing more than $139 million in
capital investments, accord-
ing to the Office of Economic
Development’s 2014 annual
report.
The city also released aggre-
gate numbers for job growth
since OED launched its first
annual JumpStart strategy
in 2012. To date, the city has
helped create 6,539 new jobs,
retain 6,683 existing jobs,
accrue $403.1 million in capital
investment and produce, reha-
bilitate or create 1,478 afford-
able housing units.
“In partnership with our
communities, there is an unde-
niable energy surging through
Denver, and there’s no doubt
that this city is open for busi-
ness,” Hancock said. “Bold and
intentional investments in the
private sector have created a
robust economy that is driving
opportunity for residents and
neighborhoods across the city.
“While unemployment is
down to 4 percent, there are
still thousands of people in
Denver who want to work but
can’t find a job. That is why my
administration is determined
to make sure the economic
prosperity we’re seeing today
extends to everyone, not just
a few. That is why we will
remain focused on partner-
ing with the private sector to
grow good jobs in Denver,” he
added.
The annual report summariz-
es the tangible outcomes of the
OED’s JumpStart 2014 strate-
gic plan, including gains made
in business retention, business
recruitment, small business
advocacy, lending projects,
affordable housing, neighbor-
hood development and work-
force development.
Copies of the 2014 annual
report, along with the 2013
and 2012 reports, are available
online at
oed.
Updates…
n The city and county of
Denver’s Office of Economic
Development will report on
the 2014 accomplishments of
its Housing and Urban Devel-
opment programs at a public
meeting March 23 from 2:30 to
4 p.m. at the Wellington Webb
Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave.,
Room 4.F.6.
The report, officially known
as the Consolidated Annual
Performance and Evaluation
Report, provides details on
the effectiveness of housing,
economic development, pub-
lic service and neighborhood
facilities programs funded by
the federal Community Devel-
opment Block Grant, Home
Investment Partnerships,
Housing Opportunities for
Persons with AIDS and Emer-
gency Shelter Grant programs.
The draft CAPER document
will be available for a 15-day
public comment period, which
started March 9, at
vergov.org/oed.
n The city and county of
Denver recently submitted
its application to the state for
Regional Tourism Act funding,
which is key to transforming
the January stock show event
and the old complex into a
year-round National Western
Center campus that will double
the number of new visitors to
more than 2.2 million while
also doubling the economic
impact of the site to an esti-
mated $200 million a year.
The city’s application seeks
$116.9 million in funding from
the state program, which funds
large-scale and unique region-
al tourism projects that sig-
nificantly increase new visitors
to the state. The RTA funds
would go toward planning and
implementation of an Eques-
trian Center, Stockyards/
Outdoor Events Pavilion and
Livestock Center, all multiuse,
year-round facilities that will
position Denver to attract 100
new national and international
events annually.
The National Western Center
campus vision includes cur-
rent partners such as the West-
ern Stock Show Association,
Colorado State University, the
Denver Museum of Nature &
Science, History Colorado and
Visit Denver, with the poten-
tial for additional partnerships
from the public and private
sectors.
At full build-out, the new
campus is expected to encom-
pass 240 acres.
The estimated cost for the
first two of three segments of
the NWC campus project is
$856 million.
The city will learn the out-
come of the RTA application in
late 2015.s
The Metro Denver Economic
Development Corp. announced
the launch of the Colorado
Investment Services Coalition,
a new consortium of indus-
try leaders working together to
advocate for and promote the
state’s robust investment ser-
vices and management indus-
try.
“Colorado is one of the few
areas outside of the Northeast
with a substantial investment
services industry, and we are
thrilled that business leaders
are coming together to help
the industry expand even fur-
ther,” said Gov. John Hicken-
looper. “These partnerships
continue to aid in strengthen-
ing our growing and diverse
economy.”
CISC founding members
represent Colorado’s larg-
est investment services firms,
including Charles Schwab &
Co. Inc., Fidelity Investments,
Janus, OppenheimerFunds,
TIAA-CREF and T. Rowe Price.
According to a new indus-
try study recently released, the
investment services industry
provides diverse and high-
paying career paths for the
state’s citizens. According to
data from the Metro Denver
EDC, the subcluster employs
29,040 people statewide. Over-
all, the industry contributed
$6.7 billion in economic impact
to the state in 2014, based on
direct and indirect employ-
ment. CISC members will hire
an estimated 1,500 employees
in 2015.
The newly formed group
will tackle three focus areas
vital to the industry: creating
an overall awareness of the
importance of the investment
services industry to Colorado’s
economy; talent/workforce
development and attraction by
cultivating mutually benefi-
cial partnerships with colleges
and universities; and federal
and state legislative advocacy
that ensures an environment
for industry expansion in Colo-
rado.
Coalition members tapped
Bill Kavanagh, a chief operat-
ing officer of Fidelity Invest-
ments, and Brian McDonald,
senior vice president/client
service and support for Charles
Schwab & Co. Inc., as its lead-
ership co-chairs.
The CISC has engaged with
several local universities
to explore ways in which to
supplement curriculum and
enhance awareness of career
opportunities in the invest-
ment services and manage-
ment field. The group is devel-
oping a course on the invest-
ment industry in conjunction
with the University of Colora-
do Denver that will be offered
in summer. It will provide an
overview of the diverse career
opportunities that exist in the
industry as well as including
content on the hard and soft
skills that graduates will need
to succeed. In addition, stu-
dents will have the opportuni-
ty to interact with senior lead-
ers in the investment services
industry.
CISC is the fourth industry
affiliate formed by the Metro
Denver EDC to focus on fast-
growing industry clusters pro-
jected to offer high-paying,
high-skill jobs in the region
and state. The organization’s
additional industry affiliates
include: the Colorado Energy
Coalition, the Colorado Space
Coalition and the Metro Den-
ver Aviation Coalition.s
ʻBold and intentional
investments in the
private sector have
created a robust
economy that is
driving opportunity
for residents and
neighborhoods
across the city.ʼ
– Mayor Michael B. Hancock
For complete contact information, links and
Key Facts, visit our Web site,
Adams County Economic Development
Arvada Economic Development Association
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Boulder Economic Council
Brighton Economic Development Corporation
City and County of Broomfield
Castle Rock Economic Development Council
City of Centennial
Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance
City of Commerce City
Denver Office of Economic Development
Denver South Economic Development Partnership
Downtown Denver Partnership Inc.
City of Englewood Community Development Dept.
Town of Erie
Federal Heights Redevelopment Agency
Grand Junction Economic Partnership
City of Greenwood Village
Jefferson County Economic Development Corp.
City of Lafayette
Lakewood Economic Development
City of Lone Tree
Longmont Area Economic Council
City of Louisville
Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
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City of Northglenn
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Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority
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Wheat Ridge 2020
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Section, please contact Jon Stern at 303.623.1148
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