|
|
President Obama signs stimulus bill in Denver
President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus bill-the most broad-reaching economic package in decades-in Denver on February 17.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science was selected to highlight the significant investments the new law will make to create jobs in renewable energy research and development. Officials say President Obama chose to sign the package in Colorado because the state is at the forefront of the nation's push toward renewable energy.
Blake Johnson, CEO of Boulder-based
Namaste Solar spoke of the importance of increased solar development before introducing President Obama. With 55 employees, Namaste is at the heart of Colorado's New Energy Economy and built the solar array on top of this museum and installed solar on the Governor's Residence.
Of the federal stimulus package, Colorado will receive roughly $2.8 billion, including $403.9 million for highway construction, $103.5 million for mass transit, and $49.1 million for research and development of renewable energy technologies. A full summary of Colorado's portion is available online.
Learn more:
»
CSPAN Video
» Slideshow on DenverPost.com
|
|
|
COlovesCA nets big national buzz
The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) literally took to the skies, the Internet, and California business publications to launch its new COlovesCA campaign
over Valentine's weekend.
Sending 500 valentines to C-level execs in the region's targeted industries was just the start (watch the video). The multitiered campaign also included
advertising in business publications touting that the Mile High State is a perfect match for "Sea-Level" companies. Plus, an 80-foot Colorado "hearts" CA banner flew over L.A. freeways on Feb. 13.
"Our main message was simple and fun. California and Colorado are truly a great match -- we share similar industries, highly educated workers, venture capital, and high quality lifestyles," said Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver EDC. "We simply asked - when you think of expansion, think of the relationship between the two states. We're a great place to expand to."
The Metro Denver EDC developed the campaign to support new job creation and investment in the region. Similar to the recently announced expansion in Douglas County by San Francisco-based Charles Schwab, the campaign targets companies in growth mode looking for a lower cost, more competitive business environment with an expansive pool of highly educated workers.
"The buzz and national media exposure for the region and state created by this campaign is unprecedented for us," explained Janet Fritz, the Metro Denver EDC's director of marketing. "With 20 national print placements, over 40 radio and broadcast spots, and significant viral Internet exposure, we estimate a current advertising impact of $2.2 million for the campaign."
Learn more:
»
States Recruit Worried Californians
- The Wall Street Journal
»
Love Notes: Colorado vies for Californian businesses
- FOX News' FOX Report
»
Marketplace Public Radio
- interview with Metro Denver EDC EVP Tom Clark
|
|
|
|
|
Job creation bills help Colorado 'up' its economic development game
Metro Denver EDC Executive Vice President Tom Clark testified last week before a bipartisan panel of the Colorado State Legislature on several bills that could help create thousands of new jobs in Metro Denver and Colorado.
The bills are in various stages of passage, and include the following proposals:
- Income tax credits to companies that create at least 20 jobs
- Innovation tax credits for the aerospace, bioscience, clean energy, and IT industries
- Expansion of job training grants for "new energy" job training
- Possible phase-out of the business personal property tax
"For the first time, we're on par with states we typically compete (against)," Clark told the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth. "What you've done has allowed us to up our game."
Despite a challenging national economy, several companies have announced expansions in the region since early 2009:
- San Francisco-based Charles Schwab will create 500 new tech jobs in Douglas County. The expansion is part of Charles Schwab's "long-term geographic strategy" according to company officials.
- Hexcel Corporation, a Connecticut-based manufacturer and supplier to Vestas Wind Systems, broke
ground on a 100,000-square-foot facility in Windsor. Initially, Hexcel will create 100 jobs and invest $50 million in the facility.
Enterprise-Rent-A-Car will create 100 new jobs at its new Western U.S. Claims Center in Fort Collins.
Creative Foam is expanding with a 70,000-square-foot facility in Longmont to service Vestas Wind Systems.
DigitalGlobe, the world's leading provider of high-resolution commercial imagery, is expanding its corporate headquarters in Longmont. The company signed a lease for 30,710 square feet.
CoorsTek opened a 75,000-square-foot factory in Golden to manufacture armor for tanks and other military vehicles.
Pulte Mortgage is constructing a 95,000-square-foot building in Arapahoe County for its national headquarters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
