EXECUTIVE UPDATE / May 30, 2006

Oceania Cruises has announced plans to open a new combined reservations center and emergency operations center in Colorado Springs. The center, located at 4775 Centennial Boulevard, will be capable of accommodating up to 70 staff members, but plans to employ 25 in the near term. Oceania is the world’s only “upper-premium” cruise line and operates a fleet of luxury ships that each accommodate 684 guests. The company stated that the package presented by EDC combined with the city’s solid economic base and business friendly environment made Colorado Springs the choice for the new facility.www.OceaniaCruises.com
EDC Prospect Activity: Second Quarter prospect activity continues to be strong with year to date announcements representing 300 new primary jobs. Several companies are in their final decision phase and EDC expects several more key job announcements on the horizon. Since January, EDC has hosted 20 visits of companies to Colorado Springs who are looking at the community as a relocation or expansion location. Interest remains strong in the call center/technical support/back office and data center industries. EDC is also pursuing an aggressive marketing campaign which includes visits to site selection consultants in key markets, prospecting trips to California, advertising in select business journals and a presence at trade shows. EDC is involving business and civic leaders to participate in target industry teams to attract quality jobs to Colorado Springs. For information on how you can support the Colorado Springs business attraction program, please contact EDC’s Vice President of Business Attraction, Dave White, at dlwhite@csedc.org.dlwhite@csedc.org.
Dr. Fred Crowley, Senior Economist for the Southern Colorado Economic Forum, recently provided an overview of national and local trends in the economy and housing to EDC’s major investors. His summary points were: economic growth has slowed; factors of concern include interest and savings rates, interest only loans; single-family permits are expected to be off 20 per cent in 2006 to 4,400; Falcon, Fountain and Monument will absorb most of the growth; full Fort Carson/BRAC05 effects are expected in 2007/8; approximately 7,000 to 8,000 new housing units will be needed; most new military are expected to live in Fountain, Security-Widefield and north to Marksheffel/Falcon.
Amendment #38 or the Petition Rights Amendment is opposed by an increasing number of business and governmental entities including: The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, Colorado Counties Inc., The Colorado Springs City Council and the Colorado Municipal League to name a few. Amendment #38 will be on the November ballot and is intended to make it even easier to change the Colorado Constitution. The Colorado Constitution has been amended 47 times since 1980 (almost two amendments per year) while the U.S. Constitution has been amended only 27 times in over 217 years (two amendments every 17 years). The Economic Futures Panel report, highlighted our penchant for amending our state constitution as a “highly questionable way to run a modern, complex state government….It has allowed special interests the opportunity to shape public policy…and has crippled the state’s ability to make timely decisions in the face of changing economic circumstances, institutional needs or increasing economic competition from other states.” For more information on this issue please contact Mike Kazmierski at mjkazmierski@csedc.org.
Nine Northern Irish companies and the Belfast-based Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce will be in Colorado Springs on June 12 to look for strategic partnerships with local firms. These arrangements may include joint ventures, technology licenses and reciprocal distributor/agent relationships. The Northern Irish firms are especially interested in the aerospace, manufacturing, medical device and business consulting and software sectors. For additional information, please contact the Colorado Springs Office of International Affairs at 575-4314 or internationalaffairs@cscc.org.
China is a rapidly growing market and competitor for Colorado Springs businesses. Four local manufacturers will share their experiences in the Chinese market at a program sponsored by the Colorado Springs Office of International Affairs on Wednesday, June 14 beginning at 8 a.m. in the Chamber of Commerce conference room. This program is free and open to the public, but advance reservations are required. Reservations and additional information are available by calling the Office of International Affairs at 575-4314 or by e-mail at internationalaffairs@cscc.org.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Community Service Award was recently presented to the EDC, the Colorado Springs City Council and The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce for their leadership on Referendum C and the redevelopment of North Nevada Avenue, both critically important to the future of higher education in the region.
Sign up now for the Dynamic Change Leader (DCL) Program, July 20th. DCL is a one or two day experiential training program in both outdoor and classroom settings which introduces whole systems thinking for mid to upper level managers. The program teaches executives how to lead transformative change in their organization. EDC investors and Chamber members get a 20% discount off of the one day program rate of $579. Spaces are limited - Contact Carol Bruce-Fritz at Catamount Institute 719-471-0910.
“El Paso County, Meeting the Challenges of a Growing Regional Economy” will be the subject of an address to be given by Sallie Clark, Chair of the Board of El Paso County Commissioners, at the June 28 EDC luncheon, at the Antlers Hilton. Invitations will be mailed. For more information contact Shannon Taylor at (719) 475-6455.
Celebrate Downtown Colorado Springs with “Sunday on the Town”, a benefit for the Downtown Partnership and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic featuring food, art, music and shopping on Sunday, June 4th from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Information and tickets are available by calling (719) 886-0088.
The 84th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is scheduled for Saturday, July 1. The 12-mile race begins at 9,200 feet and finishes at the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. The semi-truck class is spectacular. For tickets and information go to www.ppihc.com.
The Colorado Festival of World Theatre returns again to the Pikes Peak Region July 20 through July 30 with a gala on July 15. The Festival will bring together emerging and established artists from around the world with seven shows and 33 performances on five stages in Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. To learn more about the Festival’s exceptional array of cultural entertainment, go to www.coloradofestival.org or call the Box Office at (719) 955-2599.
“El Paso County, Meeting the Challenges of a Growing Regional Economy” will be the subject of an address to be given by Sallie Clark, Chair of the Board of El Paso County Commissioners, at the June 28 EDC luncheon, at the Antlers Hilton. Invitations will be mailed. For more information contact Shannon Taylor at (719) 475-6455.
Register today for the 15th Annual Heart Walk being held Saturday, June 3 at Memorial Park! This 5K fun walk mobilizes the community to promote fun, fitness and to help save lives from heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 3 killers. The Heart Walk is a morning filled with entertainment, exercise and meaning. Participants raise funds and earn incentive prizes by collecting donations. These donations support programs that help Americans live longer and healthier lives. Anyone can participate. The Heart Walk is open to all ages and much of its success comes from local companies that support the event. To register or for more information on the 15th Annual Heart Walk go to www.heartwalk.kintera.org/csco.
For questions or comments regarding the Executive Update, please contact Julie Boswell at jboswell@csedc.org