Economic Development in Denver
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Is the City of Denver a great place to do Business?
We all know Denver is indeed a great place to live, but is it also a great place to do business…Our competitive environment, sound transportation infrastructure, and variety of industries bring companies and workers here. Just what factors contribute to Economic Development in our City, and what are the challenges of doing business in Denver…
Host Beverly Weaver and City executives examine the challenge of job attraction and creation and incentives for doing business in Denver. The program also takes a look at some local businesses who have taken advantage of these incentives to establish and grow their companies in Denver.
How have some local businesses taken advantage of some of Denver’s incentives for doing business?
Although Denver serves as the headquarters location for some companies, the City is not traditionally known to be a strong headquarters city such as Seattle or Chicago. However, Denver’s Office of Economic Development offers numerous incentives for businesses both large and small to locate or expand their companies.
These business incentives include financing options like Small Business Loan Programs and ‘gap’ financing, tax zone credits, job creation and capital investment incentives among others.
Will Denver’s changing transportation scene contribute to the City’s Economic growth?
In November 2004, voters in the Denver Metropolitan Region passed the “FasTracks” ballot measure which represents a $4.7 billion dollar regional infrastructure investment. The City of Denver is poised to take a significant leadership role in focusing growth into neighborhoods and districts near new transit stations.
A major planning initiative is underway to prepare over 30 station locations for appropriate transit oriented development or "T-O-D"s. TODs will help spark revitalization of neighborhoods, and the Office of Economic Development is working closely with Community Planning and Development to focus on affordable housing, business development services for small businesses, and local neighborhood-based workforce solutions.
Other cities with successful transit oriented development:
Maintaining our built infrastructure
Denver has an enviable quality of life that makes it simply one of the best places in the country to live and work. We’ve earned an international reputation as a beautiful city. However for the past several years the city has faced difficult economic challenges. Many infrastructure needs that contribute to the City’s appeal have been delayed. Maintaining the city’s streets, bridges, public buildings, transportation services and public parks requires year-round attention.
What projects are underway now and what is being planned for maintaining Denver’s current built infrastructure…an infrastructure that helps to define the quality of life in Denver…it’s the focus of the next Council Matters.