The Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. recognized three companies for having the most “interesting” business deals last year and gave a nod to several individuals for their work to advance the local economy.
Ardent Mills, a joint venture that combined the milling operations of ConAgra Foods, Cargill and CHS, was acknowledged as a deal of the year for placing its
The company, is expected to employ 200 people eventually in Denver and generate $4 billion of revenue.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems was recognized at the group’s 11th annual meeting and awards luncheon for its decision to from Newtown, Pa., to Jefferson County.
“We have a major presence in 13 states, but we are only growing in one,” said Maria Reuss, the company’s vice president of international business development.
Panasonic Enterprise Solutions was the third company to be recognized for a deal of the year after it chose Denver over 22 other cities
The headquarters will serve as the anchor tenant at Peña Station, a 400-acre, sustainable development near Denver International Airport. Panasonic is expected to employ 300 people eventually at the facility and contribute $82 million a year to the region’s economy.
“We look forward not only to putting a building here but to putting our roots deep into Colorado, said the company’s president, Jim Doyle.
Known for his ability to liven up what otherwise could be a dry event, Metro Denver EDC CEO Tom Clark showed video clips of himself as “the most interesting man in metro Denver,” a spoof of . “Stay innovative, my friends,” he told the audience.
Sueann Ambron, who is of the University of Colorado Denver School of Business this summer, was honored for creating courses to provide students with the skills that major employers in the region need.
When insurers, for example, complained they had to relocate underwriters from other states because they couldn’t find those skills locally, Ambron launched a program to meet that need.
Phil Washington, the departing general manager of the Regional Transportation District, was acknowledged for his efforts to keep the FasTracks program, one of the country’s largest transit projects, moving forward despite funding shortfalls and other complications. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority noticed .
John Armstrong, president of Enserca in Lakewood, received the chairman’s award for funding and launching the Colorado Energy Expo, a public gathering that brings together players in traditional and renewable energy.
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, his former adviser Monisha Merchant, Denver attorney John Posthumus and Metro Denver EDC vice president Pam Reichert shared the cooperation award for of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Clark called the past two years extraordinary for the number of big deals landed but also acknowledged more needs to be done to ensure that .
“We are having a housing challenge in this community,” he warned.
Aldo Svaldi: 303-954-1410, asvaldi@denverpost.com or twitter.com/aldosvaldi
