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Vestas breaks ground, Ascent Solar opens manufacturing facility
Gov. Ritter celebrates two companies' significant growth in the renewable energy sector
 Colorado's New Energy Economy took a great leap forward last week with two major renewable energy firms breaking ground for new manufacturing plants and opening new facilities.
Gov. Bill Ritter joined Vestas executives, the crown prince and princess of Denmark, and local leaders on March 25 at a ground-breaking ceremony for two Vestas manufacturing facilities in Brighton that will create 1,350 new jobs.
Vestas is spending about $290 million to build the two facilities, which will produce 1,800 blades and 1,400 nacelles a year. Brighton will also be home to a technology and production engineering office as well as a division of the Vestas Business Academy for employee training and development.
Vestas currently operates a wind blade manufacturing plant in Windsor and is building the world's largest wind tower manufacturing facility in Pueblo. When all four plants are fully operational by the end of 2010, they will employ nearly 2,500 Coloradans.
Gov. Ritter also celebrated the grand opening of
Ascent Solar's new world headquarters and manufacturing facility in Thornton on March 24. Ascent Solar, a developer of flexible thin-film solar modules, plans to add 180-200 new jobs over the next two years.
Ascent Solar's new 145,000-square-foot facility will house its administrative headquarters and manufacturing operations. It will produce solar modules to power homes, commercial buildings, and consumer devices.
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The love continues on CA media tour
The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) launched the second phase of its COlovesCA campaign last week with a Los Angeles media tour.
While in California, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, a former geologist and brewpub owner, did interviews with CNBC, Investor's Business Daily, and Bloomberg News.
 "We still have quite a bit of momentum from our Valentine's launch of COlovesCA and wanted to capitalize on that awareness," explained Janet Fritz, director of marketing for the Metro Denver EDC. "Mayor Hickenlooper shared details about our economy and lifestyle. He is an amazing spokesperson for the region."
Mayor Hickenlooper and Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver EDC, also hosted a corporate executive luncheon with area companies and site selectors, updating them on developments in Colorado's New Energy Economy and business legislation that will help create thousands of new jobs in the state and the region.
"Our main take away from this meeting is that Colorado is 'easier' than California -- it's easier to get around here; it's easier to work with government here; and we're certainly easier on the pocketbook," said Clark. "This all factors into a company's decision on where to expand."
Learn more:
» Colorado Loves California - interview with Mayor Hickenlooper
- CNBC Street Signs - March 26, 2009
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International sport leaders converge in Denver for Sportaccord
Last week, Denver became the first North American city to host Sportaccord, a prestigious gathering of 1,500 of the most influential people in international sports and the Olympic sports movement.
Hosting the conference can only be described as a major coup for Denver and a chance to position the city as a prime location for hosting a variety of national and international sporting events and possibly even the Winter Olympics.
Behind it all is Denver Sports,
a nonprofit organization formed in 2001 to draw premier domestic and international sporting events to the Denver market. The region has hosted top-tier events such as the 2009 U.S. Curling National Championships and the 2008 Frozen Four hockey tournament and will be the host city of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Final Four.
According to Denver Sports, "Denver received rave reviews for its weather, its facilities, and most importantly, its people during Sportaccord."
Delegates from 500 sports federations and organizations attended 2009 Sportaccord in Denver, allowing the international sports community to come together in an exclusive and unique environment to build relationships, exchange knowledge, and develop ideas. The Metro Denver EDC partnered with Visit Denver, Colorado Tourism, and Denver Sports on an information center at the conference.
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