Q: What role can the mayor play in bringing jobs to Denver?
A: The mayor must play an integral role in retaining, growing and attracting jobs. As mayor, I will be the city’s leading advocate for business development and job creation by strengthening partnerships between city government and private enterprise. I will instill a customer-service focus to my administration through greater accessibility and by directing city employees to reenergize their commitment to customers – the businesses and residents of Denver. I will drive a bold vision for economicdevelopment with new strategies to create sustainable jobs and businesses for all of Denver – with input from throughout the city. I have opened our plan to public review, launching a series of neighborhood roundtables to address the challenges facing our businesses and local economies. I will work to incorporate this constructive feedback to ensure there is a balance to our economic development efforts so that no neighborhood is left behind.
Q: What are the most important steps that need to be undertaken to lure more businesses to Denver?
A: The majority of job growth comes from small businesses, as mayor I will encourage entrepreneurship, sell Denver’s strengths and establish the city as the Start-up and Small Business Capital of the Country. I will pursue new initiatives within each segment of the lending community to increase businesses’ access to capital and reenergize the Denver Office of Economic Development to be more customer-centric. Thiswill ensure services such as permitting and licensing are provided more efficiently. I will focus on improving and leveraging our livability incentives to better compete in a global economy, including air and light-rail infrastructure, the city’s well-managed finances and our skilled workforce. Nothing helps or attracts businesses like strong schools, and I will forge stronger partnerships among the city, Denver Public Schools, higher education and the private sector.
Q: Why have Dallas, Minneapolis and Atlanta been able to land those major corporate headquarter businesses and not Denver? What could be done to attract those kinds of businesses to the city?
A: Those cities benefit from a variety of factors, including geographic location, ability to offer large tax breaks, and international air travel. Forbes, CNBC and others routinely rank Colorado among the top states for doing business, and as mayor I will elevate Denver’s brand as a business-friendly city with unmatched assets including a high quality of life, Denver International Airport, Union Station, FasTracks and unique neighborhood business districts. I will re-double efforts to recruit regional, national and international headquarters, leading a dedicated team and collaborating with organizations like the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and Colorado Office of Economic Development. I willlead a focused “grow and stay” strategy that will support and nurture start-ups and small businesses. Together, we will create an economic gardening ecosystem that grows Fortune 500 companies from the ground up.
Q: Describe your economic plan – something that drives economic development in the city?
A: I will create a predictable, business-friendly environment through five key strategies:
Q: What experience in your own life would you bring that would guide you in improving economic development in Denver?
A: Growing up in some of Denver’s roughest neighborhoods, I know the value of hard work and the necessity of working together. At 29, I became the youngest CEO of an UrbanLeague affiliate. Collaborating with some of Denver’s largest employers, I created nationally recognized job programs for Denver residents. I know what it takes to balance budgets, meet a payroll and inspire a workforce. Since 2003, I have served as a leader on the Denver City Council, including two terms as president. Teaming up with Mayor John Hickenlooper, we balanced the city’s budget, cut spending and eliminated more than $350 million in shortfalls. I also have driven sustainable prosperity, helping small businesses cut through red tape, working with start-ups to grow their businesses, partnering with DPS to turn aroundfailing schools, and ensuring quality services, parks and other facilities for neighborhoods throughout Denver.
