The Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. will ask the business community to back it for another five years, the group announced Tuesday at its annual luncheon.
The new fundraising campaign will seek at least $12.5 million, with a more precise goal coming later this year from the Blue Sky Committee, a group of business leaders and investors heading up the effort, said Janet Fritz, director of marketing and technology.
The Metro Denver EDC sought $12.5 million when it relaunched in 2003, with a goal of creating 100,000 new jobs in the area within five years.
The largest backers include CH2M Hill, Qwest Communications, Wells Fargo, First Data, Xcel Energy and FirstBank Holding Co.
The economic development arm of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has raised $13.3 million and the region has added more than 80,000 jobs during the group’s first four years.
A new campaign will prevent the metro region from repeating the mistake of abandoning economic development efforts prematurely, co-chairman Kirk McDonald told an audience of 600 business leaders gathered at the Denver Marriott City Center.
“We must keep the momentum going,” McDonald said.
The Metro Denver Network, the Metro Denver EDC’s predecessor, disbanded in the late 1990s after strong gains in population and jobs triggered complacency and a backlash from anti-growth forces.
The region went on to lose more than 80,000 jobs in 2002 and 2003.
The Metro Denver EDC also used Tuesday’s luncheon to present awards and highlight its achievements – securing a direct flight between Denver and Munich, Germany, helping to get passed funding measure Referendum C and FasTracks, and creating a state-of-the-art website.
University of Colorado president Hank Brown was recognized with the Chairs’ Award for Outstanding Efforts in Economic Development.
Vestas Blades A/S, Lufthansa German Airlines and the United Launch Alliance were all recognized with deal-of-the-year awards.
Staff writer Aldo Svaldi can be reached at 303-954-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com.
