Sustain funding for higher education and transportation projects.
Bolster incentives to attract corporate relocations and expansions and help existing businesses grow.
Those were some of the top priorities for the dozen or so Denver metro area economic-development and business officials who met Friday with Gov. John Hickenlooper at the Cable Center at the University of Denver as part of his “bottom up” economic development strategy.
It was the Democratic governor’s ninth such meeting since he took office last month. Suggestions from the meetings will be incorporated into a statewide plan aimed at easing Colorado’s $1 billion budget shortfall while spurring economic activity and growing jobs.
Hearing from state officials
Panelist Kevin McCasky, president of the Jefferson Economic Council, told Hickenlooper that the state should embrace nuclear power, a project that could attract $7 billion in private investments.
It’s been more than 30 years since a nuclear reactor was licensed in the U.S.
Jessica Erickson, president of the Broomfield Economic Development Corp., said the state’s incentives structure to attract businesses needs to be overhauled. She said the one-size-fits-all approach often doesn’t work for Broomfield.
Frances Draper, executive director of the Boulder Economic Council, encouraged Hickenlooper to round up the state’s congressional delegation to focus on keeping federal dollars — such as small-business grants — flowing into Colorado.
Peggy Stokstad of the Clear Creek Economic Development Corp. raised concerns about traffic on Interstate 70, particularly during the weekends.
“Mass transit is the ultimate solution for I-70,” Stokstad said.
She didn’t have any suggestions on how to fund such a project.
Stokstad asked Hickenlooper to designate the entire county as an enterprise zone, which would provide tax credits for businesses that expand in the county.
Suggestions from all sources
Gilpin County Commissioner Forrest Whitman, relaying a message from casino managers, said there’s too much red tape at the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission. He said the commission often levies big fines on casinos for small infractions.
Hickenlooper also listened to suggestions from attendees.
An audience member from Superior said the state should focus on helping companies with 10 or more employees grow rather than compete with other states for corporate expansions.
Su Hawk, president of CSIA, a technology trade association, said Colorado entrepreneurs are feeling a growing tension with government. The state eliminated a sales-tax exemption on downloaded software last year.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209, avuong@denverpost.com or
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporting error, the status of nuclear-power projects in the United States was incorrect. Westinghouse Electric Co. said it has received orders for
U.S. nuclear reactors that are undergoing licensing review with the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
