Colorado Real Estate Journal -

New, expanding employers honored

COLORADO SPRINGS REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP.

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The Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corp. recently held its annual luncheon at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort to honor companies that announced their decisions to relocate to or expand in Colorado Springs during 2011.

A total of 16 EDC-assisted companies announced more than 1,000 new primary jobs. Companies include: Granada Corp., a bilingual customer service “workat-home” operation; Space Foundation, which relocated to a new facility; Outreach Inc., which will relocate from Vista, Calif.; XIO, which relocated its headquarters to Colorado Springs; Cosmic Advanced Engineering Solutions, which expanded its aerospace research-and development operations; and Howell Precision Machine and Engineering Inc., which relocated from Lancaster, Calif.

In addition, Olson Motor & Control Company Inc. opened a renewable energy manufacturing operation; Chapman Foundations Management co-located its headquarters between Colorado Springs and Tulsa, Okla.; Entegris announced the expansion of its local manufacturing operations; Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will establish a corporate data center; iQor will operate a “work-at-home” information processing group; Agilent Technologies will expand the current facilities with a new data center and technology operations; Bal Seal Engineering Inc. announced an expansion facility for medical device and automotive manufacturing; American Tire Distributors Inc. will open a new tire distribution facility; Bio Pappel International expanded to Colorado Springs with a paper recycling collection center; and National Aviation opened a new manufacturing facility.

The six-year economic impact of the 900 new primary jobs is expected to generate $339.9 million in local expenditures.

Other companies recognized for their expansions in the community included Delta Solutions & Strategies, Jabil Technical Services, LVW Electronics, S4 Inc., dpiX LLC and XLEDGER.

Updates …

The boards of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corp. recently approved an agreement to merge into a single organization called The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, effective Feb. 1.

A search committee has been established to conduct a national search for the chief executive officer of the new organization. It is anticipated that the CEO will be in place within the next three to four months.

“The potential for capturing economic opportunities for our city is enormous and demands all hands on deck,” stated Mayor Steve Bach. “Our new direction requires a collaborative effort between our city team and The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC in attracting and retaining business. I am pleased to work hand-in-hand with this new organization to bring critical jobs and increased business to Colorado Springs.” “Colorado Springs’ collaborative new approach to economic development is an ideal complement to Colorado’s Bottom-Up Economic Development Plan,” commented Gov. John Hickenlooper. “The new organization, built on a solid foundation of the two groups, will strengthen our collective efforts and help to advance a strong recovery for our state and the southern region.” C. Lewis “Lew” Christensen, former chairman of the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp. and a partner in the development of the Briargate master planned community, passed away Dec. 24.

Christensen, who was instrumental in establishing the economic development corporation in 1971, served as the organization’s chairman on two occasions.

He was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1999 and in 1993 was named the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce’s Business Citizen of the Year.

Christensen and partner John Venezia developed and operated Briargate until its sale to the Gary and Dusty Loo family in 1995.