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Metro Denver sets the pace for new business, jobs
Metro Denver is out and running in 2010, outpacing many other areas of the country for new company relocations and expansions.
"Our prospect activity continues to grow at a healthy rate," explains Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver EDC. "Growth across a variety of sectors demonstrates the viability and diversity of our regional economy."
Two companies recently announced new operations in Westminster.
Scottrade, a leading branch-supported online investing firm purchased a 204,000-square-foot office building with plans to hire 285 people.
General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics, opened an enterprise data center to support a project with the Department of Homeland Security. When fully staffed, the unit will employ 100 workers at a new LEED-certified facility.
Significant expansion news came at the end of 2009 when
IBM Corp. announced it will hire 500 new customer service technicians. IBM will utilize dollars from the city's flexible rebate program to train new employees at its Boulder campus, which already employs 2,800.
In addition, aerospace contractor
Sierra Nevada Corporation announced a 200-job expansion in Centennial utilizing Colorado's the Job Growth Incentive Fund, which provides credits on half of the federal Social Security and Medicare taxes on the jobs created, (roughly 3.8 percent of each job's annual wage).
Two companies also announced corporate headquarters moves to the region in 2010. Mywedding.com will locate its corporate headquarters in Castle Rock, adding 20 high-paying jobs.
Kidrobot, a premier creator of limited edition art toys and apparel, announced it will to move the company's corporate headquarters from New York to Boulder.
Learn more:
» News and Deals on metrodenver.org
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Stimulus awards bring millions to Colorado for research and job creation
Colorado companies, research universities, and organizations received significant funding awards in early 2010 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). At least $5.7 billion in ARRA funding is expected to flow into the state over the next two years. Recent major awards in the Metro Denver region include:
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The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) has posted grant opportunities in more than 24 categories for the state's residents, businesses, and organizations to save energy and increase energy independence. The grants are funded through part of the $145 million in ARRA funding awarded to GEO. » more
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Five researchers from Colorado universities were among 69 early career scientists throughout the country sharing $85 million to support cutting-edge scientific inventions. Colorado was one of only two states with five researchers winning awards. » more -
Six cleantech companies--Vestas, Reflec Tech, Coolerado Corporation, Advanced Energy Industries, Hexcel Corporation, and Abound Solar--in the state secured $75.2 million in advanced energy manufacturing tax credits. » more -
Golden's National Renewable Energy Laboratory will partner with five of 19 national biofuels companies eligible to share up to $564 million to help launch pilot scale and ultimately, commercial scale, biomass fuels development. » more
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The Denver Office of Economic Development and the Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. will collectively receive $29.3 million to address residential foreclosures and spur neighborhood revitalization.
» more
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A $3.6 million grant will be used to help train disadvantaged Denver residents to enter the green building industry. » more |
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Colorado fourth-fastest growing state in 2009
 According to the U.S. Census Bureau's last
state population estimates before the 2010 Census, Colorado was the fourth-fastest growing state in the country. From July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, Colorado grew by 1.81 percent, to just over five million people.
Colorado's neighbor to the north, Wyoming, had the largest percentage growth at 2.12 percent, followed by Utah (2.10 percent), and Texas (1.97 percent). The West led the nation, growing as a region at 1.2 percent.
In terms of total population gain, Colorado added 89,535 residents in 2009 from the previous year, the eighth-highest total among the states.
"While the entire country has been impacted by the economic downturn, states with flat population growth or negative growth tend to be those losing jobs and experiencing a more difficult recovery," explains Holli Baumunk, vice president of the Metro Denver EDC. "With consistent population gains, Colorado is perceived nationally as one of the states leading the recovery."
Learn more
» Population - metrodenver.org
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