EXECUTIVE UPDATE / July 26, 2005

PROSPECT ACTIVITY: In the past six weeks, EDC has hosted seven new prospects in Colorado Springs seeking a new location for expanding or relocating their operations. They included four customer service centers, a non-profit headquarters, a manufacturer and headquarters, and an aerospace manufacturer. During that same timeframe, three expanding Colorado Springs companies, headquartered out of state, approached EDC through their CEO, Director of Real Estate, or Development Manager, requesting assistance with upcoming expansion projects.
The Business Retention and Expansion Visitation Program volunteers have conducted 61 personal visits to local primary employers representing over 17,000 employees. Primary strengths identified to date include quality of life, favorable tax environment, well-educated workforce, strong university system, affordable housing, business-friendly environment, collaboration among city/community agencies, and a quality airport. Weaknesses identified include I-25 mobility, east-west mobility, brand of Colorado Springs outside the community, available investment capital, no support system for entrepreneurs and start-ups, lagging infrastructure, weak incentives, lack of personnel with MBA plus tech skills, and not enough local headquarters.
Welcome home to our new troops, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT) returning to Fort Carson from the global war on terrorism in Iraq. The 2nd BCT was the hardest hit brigade-sized unit in the war, having lost 68 soldiers with nearly 500 wounded in the past year. Come join us in thanking them for the sacrifices they have made for our nation and help make them and their families feel welcome to their new home – Colorado Springs. The public is invited to attend the welcome home ceremonies at the Special Events Center at Fort Carson. There will be a ceremony for each of the 15 to 20 plane loads of troops to arrive over the next several weeks. For more information on the dates and times of the ceremonies go to: www.carson.army.mil/2BCT/index.htm.
Referenda C/D will have a significant impact on the military in the Pikes Peak Region and provide funding for upgrades at the SH-16 and I-25 Interchange, a $50 million project that will significantly relieve congestion and improve safety at Fort Carson’s Gate 20. However, there are several other areas where the passage of Referenda C/D improves community support for our military and their family members. Such as, funding support for Pikes Peak Community College and UCCS where programs offered, especially those that are designed specifically to support the military’s needs, may get cut. Additionally, health and human services cuts, to include support for retiring military members, will result in declining access and service.
Join the Pikes Peak Coalition for "Yes" on Referenda C/D at the Campaign Kick-Off on August 2nd, 10:00 am at Pikes Peak Community College, South Academy Campus. Join Mayor Lionel Rivera and other community leaders in kicking off the community campaign to promote the passage of Referenda C/D. The Coalition will be working to explain the referenda, to answer questions and to provide information on what they mean to the future of El Paso County. For more information contact Annie Oatman-Gardner at Taxreformaog@aol.com or Mike Kazmierski at mjkazmierski@csedc.org.
The Pikes Peak Region will be in the national spotlight when ABC airs the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, featuring a home in Peyton. Keller Homes led a yeoman’s effort involving several thousand local contractors, vendors and volunteers to complete the 4,000 square foot home for the Barrett family and their foster children in 96 hours. The broadcast date will be published at Keller Homes as soon as it is scheduled. (Source: Keller Homes, www.kellerhomes.com / The Gazette)
Colorado Springs has been ranked a 5-Star Business Opportunity Metro by Expansion Management’s 2005 Mayor’s Challenge ranking of the “Top Business Opportunity Metros.” 70 cities made the list out of the country’s 362 metro areas. (Source: Expansion Management, www.expansionmanagement.com)
A report on the economic impact of Fort Carson’s expected expansion on the Colorado economy, prepared for EDC by local economist Dave Bamberger, is available at www.coloradosprings.org/Doc/FortCarsonExpansion.pdf.
The Colorado Springs Manufacturer’s Resource Directory is now available online: Colorado Springs Utilities has sponsored the creation of a Manufacturer’s Resource Directory. This publication provides a listing of the manufacturers in Colorado Springs, along with their capabilities and certifications. View the directory at www.coloradosprings.org/Doc/Publications/manufacturersdirectory.pdf. Manufacturers who would like their information included in the directory should contact Darl Hartnett at Colorado Springs Utilities at dhartnett@csu.org.
“Challenges Facing K-12 Education” will be the topic of the Quality Community Group luncheon on Thursday, July 28, at The Broadmoor, Rocky Mountain Ballroom. Call (719) 475-6462 for reservations.
The 18th Annual EDC Tournament of Teams, sponsored by La Plata Investments, LLC, will be held Monday, August 8, at Pine Creek Golf Club. Register for the tournament by calling (719) 475-6461.
The Colorado Festival of World Theatre continues through July 31. International artists are bringing outstanding entertainment to venues in Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. www.cfwt.org.
Celebrate Technology 2005 is seeking nominations for this year’s awards dinner, Friday, September 30, 2005. For more information and to view the award categories go to www.celebratetechnology.org.
For questions or comments on the Executive Update please contact Julie Boswell at jboswell@csedc.org