The Northern Colorado counties are thinking BIG!
The five-county metro area (Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Larimer, and Weld) have very different economies, assets, and distinctive competencies. Combined, they provide the foundation that can drive a strong recovery from the Great Recession and continue to transform the state economy.
From an economic development perspective, the strengths of the region are:
• Agriculture (Weld and Adams County)
• Air transportation (DIA, Front Range, Rocky Mountain)
• Beverages (Budweiser, Lefthand Brewing, and microbreweries)
• Construction
• Corporate headquarters (Interlocken)
• Extractive industries (Niobrara)
• Federal facilities (NOAA, NIST, NCAR, and a host of facilities in Fort Collins)
• Ground Transportation (their proximity to major highways makes them a hub)
• Health care (Fitzsimons)
• Higher education facilities
• High tech clusters (they are a hub for biosciences, nanotechnology, photonics, renewable energy, software)
• Proximity to major highways (I-25, I-70, I-76)
• Tourism (Rocky Mountain National Park and Eldora Ski Area)
• Warehousing (Adams County).
By county, the big thoughts are:
• Boulder – Conoco Phillips is planning to open a renewable energy research facility in Louisville.
• Broomfield – The Regional National Archives will open in 2013, improvements are on tap for the 36 corridor beginning in 2012, talks are continuing on the Denver beltway, a high-tech business park is planned for the northern part of the county.
• Adams – Changes to the National Western Stock Show are being discussed that could include either a makeover or relocation to a different facility, a Gaylord Hotel/Theme Park at DIA is being talked about , and the Spaceport at Front Range Airport is in the planning states.
• Larimer -The ACE park has recently been renamed the Rocky Mountain Innovation Center. Hopes are to turn the old Agilent facility in Loveland into a clean-tech, aerospace, high-tech facility.
• Weld – The county has always been a focal point for energy and agriculture. Renewable energy and the Niobrara oil fields have increased its prominence in that area.
The fact that the economy has not fully recovered has not stopped the leaders in the northern part of the state from making aggressive plans for the future. Will all of these projects come to fruition? Probably not, but the fact that there are leaders with a vision will create growth for the region.
©Copyright 2011 by CBER.