Mayor Hancock Establishes New Office for Redevelopment of National Western Center

Kelly Leid named Executive Director

DENVER- Mayor Michael B. Hancock announced on January 26, 2016 the city has created the Mayor's Office of the National Western Center through Executive Order No. 141. The Office will focus on realizing the bold vision of a must-see tourism destination and regional asset, transforming the Denver Coliseum and National Western Complex area to become a creative year-round activity campus.

The creation of the new office is a critical next step following the Denver voter's overwhelming support of ballot measure 2C and the State's support through Regional Tourism Act funding. Under the leadership of Kelly Leid as the new Executive Director, the Office will implement the National Western Center master plan.

"The National Western Center is set to become a unique campus that honors our heritage and brings vibrancy to these historic neighborhoods," said Mayor Hancock. "The creation of the office ensures that we are being deliberate about our approach and responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars to deliver a vision we can all be proud of. We owe it to the Denver community, the state of Colorado and our critical partners to be accountable for this collective investment that will help Denver thrive for generations to come."

The Mayor's Office of the National Western Center will assist in the formation of a governance entity and moving the work plan forward with guidance from the existing Executive Oversight Committee.  The new office will work independent of other departments and agencies and will be responsible for the budget management, maintaining existing partnerships, recruiting additional public and private partners and developing strategic communications and community outreach efforts.

In early 2013, Mayor Hancock appointed Kelly as the Executive Director of the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative, an initiative to strategically align six redevelopment projects in Globeville, Elyria and Swansea; the National Western Center is one of those six projects.  Leid will transition out of his current role as the Executive Director of the NDCC over the next 90 days. The Mayor will next move to identify a new Executive Director for the North Denver Cornerstone Collaboration.

"Kelly has been a champion for north Denver through his work at the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative," Mayor Hancock said. "He has proven himself as a thoughtful leader and his experience with large and complicated projects is critical to realize the true potential of the National Western Center vision."

As a third generation Colorado native, Kelly's experience spans over 25 years in broad-based project and operations management including 19-plus years in senior leadership positions. Kelly has worked across a range of highly visible public, private and nonprofit organizations including stadium projects for the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos.

"The past couple of years have been an unbelievable honor to create a vision that will greatly impact the future of this great city and region. I am deeply honored to help lead this new office to chart a course that will celebrate our western heritage, secure the future for the National Western Stock Show and set the stage to position Denver and our State as a major player in solving major food production and food safety issues at the National Western Center," said Kelly.  

In his new role, Kelly will continue to chair the National Western Center Executive Oversight Committee. As Executive Director, he will remain a member of the Capital Funding Alignment Subcommittee, Event Programming Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee; all committees established to advance the National Western Center vision.

Quotes from National Western Center Partners:

"For CSU, the National Western Center project is a unique opportunity to address global challenges around food, water, energy, the environment, and health in new and innovative ways. The creation of the Mayor's Office of the National Western Center showcases Mayor Hancock's commitment to fulfilling the bold vision of the National Western Center, and we look forward to working with the team to make the National Western Center a reality."

Tony Frank, President
Colorado State University

"We are excited about today's announcement which demonstrates the administration's commitment to the longevity of National Western Stock Show and creation of the National Western Center. Kelly Leid has provided great leadership on behalf of the city and we look forward to working with him to implement the vision as approved by the voters in November."

Ron Williams, Chairman of the Board
Western Stock Show Association

# # #

MEDIA CONTACTS: 
City and County of Denver
Mayor Michael B. Hancock
Amber Miller, Communications Director
[email protected]

North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative
Erika Reyes Martinez
[email protected]
O: 720.865.2906

2016 Ford Trends at a Glance Provide Business Insight for Year Ahead

Annually, Ford publishes a Consumer Trend Report that looks at 10 key micro-trends – across industries. 

For 2016, Ford reveals new consumer insights that signals a renewed sense of inspiration and ingenuity, as consumers are driven more than ever to make the world a better place. Considering the challenges of the past decade – the past year, specifically – consumers are now relying even more on themselves and are determined to shape how they will communicate, work and even travel in the future. 

At the helm of this report is Sheryl Connelly, Ford's in-house Futurist who says social, technological, economic, environmental and political shifts can deeply influence consumer perceptions, values and behaviors. “Ford’s 4th annual trend report, Looking Further with Ford 2016, provides a comprehensive look at micro-trends that are unfolding across the globe, shaping consumers, businesses and products,” she states. “These insights guide Ford’s strategy, product developments, mobility innovations and customer experiences.” 

Connelly adds we’re also seeing a heightened focus on mobility: consumers are leveraging technology, sustainability and collaborative solutions to move more freely and embrace opportunities that defy conventional boundaries and barriers. 

Here’s a look at the 10 trends that are expected to shape global consumer climate across all industries – not just automotive – for 2016.

1. Embracing Heroes
Where goodwill is faltering among established leadership, it’s gaining with communities and individuals who are rethinking what it means to be a good citizen, neighbor and person. Everyday heroes are stepping up to the plate, and they’re inspiring others to do the same.

  • Consumers are eager to share good news - 73% of adults globally agree that they are more likely to share positive news stories on social media

2. Swiss Army Life
A rising emphasis on self-reliance has created an ethos of purposefulness and utility. Better living today is not about having more things – it’s about living smarter by pushing to get greater use out of fewer things.

  • 75% of U.S. adults under the age of 35 say they’re willing to pay more for products that are more versatile.
  • 76% of U.S. adults agree that they intend to keep their car for at least 10 years - highlighting the need for vehicles to provide utility across life stages.

3. Time Poverty
“So much to do, so little time” has always been one of life’s conundrums. Yet with greater connectivity, we’re increasingly on call, and time proves more elusive than ever. 

  • The average American spends 4.7 hours per day on his/her mobile phone and 48% of U.S. adults say that staying on top of social media is starting to feel like a full time job.
  • 85% of U.S. adults agree that the expected response time for electronic communications is getting shorter and shorter. Work is also getting increasingly demanding - 50% of U.S. adults under the age of 35 feel compelled to check their work email during their off hours.

4. The EZ Life, Brought to You by the Connected Concierge
With growing support from artificial intelligence, the rise of full-service technology allows for outsourcing more responsibilities to innovative consumer features that learn and adapt to our needs – expanding our sense of hope and possibilities for better living.

  • 48% of U.S. adults under 35 agree that they could see themselves buying a self-driving car in the future.
  • 49% of U.S. adults under 35 believe that the benefits of autonomous machines (drones/artificial intelligence/self-driving cars) will outweigh the risks.

5. Mindful Goes Mainstream
Two-thirds of consumers across the globe say mindfulness is not a fad. As our lives become increasingly complicated and demanding, the solution for many is to be less mind-full and more mindful – giving ourselves time and space to breathe, reflect and regroup.

  • 79% of U.S. adults say mindfulness is not just a fad, and 58% say they make a conscious effort to disconnect from their devices.

6. In Awe of Aging
As people live longer, healthier lives, the notion of aging is being redefined. Shifts in health care, nutrition and medical science are driving today’s seniors to defy tradition and reject long-held stereotypes of what it means to be elderly. 

  • By 2050, more than 2 billion people in the world will be over the age of 60 - more than double the number today. 
  • Globally, 55% of adults agree that society is less age-focused today. In the U.S., 76% of adults believe there are things they can do to proactively slow down the effects of aging. 

7. Fit for Misfits
Today, one size fits nobody, and connections between mainstream brands and consumers are taking a back seat to more unique, personalized and meaningful ties. 

  • Globally, 69% of adults agree that contrarian ideas are celebrated as critical to shaping great ideas, while 54% of adults under the age of 35 agree that standing out is more important than fitting in (vs. 42% of those 35+ who agree). 
  • Authentic “Me” - in the U.S., 51% of U.S. adults under the age of 35 agree that people today are more inclined to be who they really are, rather than what they think society wants them to be. 

8. Waste Not, Want Not
In a high-consumption society, innovators are getting creative with extracting value from stuff nobody wants. This sustainability trend promises to push the boundaries of people’s imagination and personal comfort. 

  • In the U.S. this is a particularly Millennial ethos. Of U.S. adults under the age of 35: 

o 60% say they feel guilty about the amount of waste they generate. 

o 88% believe that society has an obligation to reuse and reduce the amount of trash it 

o 66% say they tend to favor products that have are made from recyclable content versus creates those that aren’t. 

9. Buying Into the Flexible Economy
Once exclusively the turf of creatives, freelancing is becoming increasingly normalized – and it’s upending traditional contractual commitments. 

  • Millennial Freelancers - roughly half of global freelancers are between ages 26 and 35 

10. Retail Revolution
Retail is no longer simply about product, it’s about experience; retailers are finding new ways to inspire meaningful connections with consumers. 

  • Shopping on the Go: By 2017, roughly 50% of in-store transactions will be completed via mobile devices. 
  • 48% of U.S. consumers say they will buy more from a retailer that personalized their shopping experience.

Todd Rabourn is the Regional Sales & Marketing Manager for the Denver Region. For more information about Ford Motor Company, please visit www.ford.com.

Colorado’s Economy to Continue to Expand in 2016, Says CU-Boulder’s Leeds School

Contact:
Richard Wobbekind, Leeds School, 303-492-1147
[email protected]
Brian Lewandowski, Leeds School, 303-492-3307
[email protected]
Elizabeth Lock, CU-Boulder media relations, 303-492-3117
[email protected]

Dec. 7, 2015


Colorado employment will continue to expand in 2016, adding a variety of jobs in almost every business sector, but at a slower pace than in the previous two years, according to economist Richard Wobbekind of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business.

Wobbekind’s announcement was part of the 51st annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum presented December 7, 2015 by the Leeds School’s Business Research Division.

The comprehensive outlook report for 2016 features forecasts and trends for 13 business sectors prepared by more than 100 key business, government and industry professionals.

“Colorado will remain one of the top growth states nationally in 2016,” said Wobbekind, who’s also the senior associate dean for academic programs at the Leeds School. “We benefit from being a very desirable state where people want to live and work, allowing us to attract top talent.”

Overall, the forecast calls for a gain of 65,100 jobs, or growth of 2.6 percent, in Colorado in 2016. All but the state’s natural resources and mining industry are predicted to grow in 2016, though the information industry will see only modest gains.

“Natural resources and mining primarily comprises the oil and gas industry in the state, as well as coal, molybdenum and other minerals,” said Wobbekind. “Overall, these sectors have been reacting to lower commodity prices that impact the feasibility of projects.”

The strongest sector for projected job growth in the report is the professional and business services sector, which is expected to add 15,500 jobs. Related to Colorado’s high-tech industries and research institutions, the state’s concentration of professional, scientific and technical services is 33 percent higher than the nation.

Other leading job growth sectors for 2016 include the education and health services sector, which is expected to add 10,900 jobs; and the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which is expected to add 10,800 jobs.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector encompasses wholesale and retail trade, as well as industries that provide transportation of passengers and cargo, including Denver International Airport and gas pipelines. Utilities also are in this sector.

The construction sector, one of the hardest hit sectors during the Great Recession, is expected to add 9,700 jobs in 2016. With household formation continuing to exceed available units and increases in nonresidential and infrastructure building, Colorado is poised to record the highest value of construction since 2006.

Colorado’s unemployment rate is expected to remain below 4 percent in 2016, which is comparatively better than the national unemployment rate.

“Colorado is now staring at full employment,” said Wobbekind. “With such a low unemployment rate and a decreasing labor participation rate, continued in-migration will be integral to supporting economic growth across the state.”

Colorado’s population is the fourth-fastest growing by percentage behind North Dakota, Nevada and Texas. The state’s population is projected to grow by about 95,000 people to a total of about 5.5 million people in 2016.

To view the entire economic outlook for Colorado in 2016 including other sectors, such as leisure and hospitality, agriculture, financial activities and government, visit the Business Research Division website. 

For audio of Richard Wobbekind discussing Colorado’s 2016 economic outlook, click here.

 

CEO Expectations for the Economy Worsen

For the Fourth Year in a Row, Regulation Cited as CEOs’ Top Cost Pressure

Washington – For the third quarter in a row, CEOs expressed growing caution about the U.S. economy’s near-term prospects and indicated they are moderating their plans for capital investment over the next six months, according to the Business Roundtable fourth quarter 2015 CEO Economic Outlook Survey, released today.

The Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index – a composite of CEO projections for sales and plans for capital spending and hiring over the next six months – declined 6.6 points, from 74.1 in the third quarter of 2015 to 67.5 in the fourth quarter. This third consecutive quarterly decline brought the Index to its lowest level in three years.

For the first six months of 2016, CEO expectations for sales decreased by 3.2 points and their plans for capital expenditures decreased by 16.7 points. Hiring plans were essentially unchanged from last quarter when they declined by nearly 8 points.

In their first estimate of real GDP growth for 2016, CEOs expect 2.4 percent growth.

“Lower expectations for sales and investment reflect CEOs’ ongoing caution about the near-term prospects for U.S. economic growth,” said Randall Stephenson, Chairman of Business Roundtable, and Chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc. “Congress and the Administration need to work together to continue to fund the government, expand trade, agree on a long-term transportation infrastructure investment plan, reauthorize the U.S. Export-Import Bank and renew expired tax provisions.”

Stephenson continued, “It makes no sense to allow tax policies, such as bonus depreciation and the R&D Tax Credit, to expire this year absent broader corporate tax reform.”

In response to a question posed annually in the fourth quarter, CEOs, once again, reported that regulation was the top cost pressure facing their businesses, followed by labor costs and health care costs. “If we want to see the U.S. economy and hiring really take off, Washington needs to adopt a smarter approach to regulation,” Stephenson added.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index

The Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index – a composite index of CEO plans for the next six months of sales, capital spending and employment – declined from 74.1 in the third quarter of 2015 to 67.5 in the fourth quarter of 2015. The long-term average of the Index is 80.1.

About the Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Survey

The Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Survey, conducted quarterly since the fourth quarter of 2002, provides a forward-looking view of the economy by Business Roundtable member CEOs. The survey is designed to provide a picture of the future direction of the U.S. economy by asking CEOs to report their plans for their company’s sales, capex and employment in the next six months. The data are used to create the Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index and sub-indices for sales, capex and hiring expectations – diffusion indices that range between -50 and 150 – where readings at 50 or above indicate an economic expansion, and readings below 50 indicate an economic contraction. A diffusion index is defined as the percentage of respondents who report that a measure will increase, minus the percentage who report that the measure will decrease.

The fourth quarter 2015 survey was completed between Oct. 14 and Nov. 4, 2015. Responses were received from 140 member CEOs. The percentages in some categories may not equal 100 due to rounding. Results of this and all previous surveys can be found at www.brt.org/resources/ceo-survey.

Colorado Secretary of State Q3 2015 Indicators Report

Brian Lewandowski - Associate Director, BUSINESS RESEARCH DIVISION

Each quarter the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office teams up with the Business Research Division at the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder.

This is a great example of collaboration between state government and higher education in order to better inform Colorado's business leaders.

While at first glance this report seems to be a negative indication of the state of the state's economic growth, it should be taken within context. The state's growth fundamentals remain solid.

The fact that these indicators are only now declining to normal levels reminds us of Colorado's frequently higher-than-normal performance relative to other states, especially during the country's overall economic slowdown. It shows exceptional resiliency and a dynamic entrepreneurial environment. In an interesting aside, studies have shown that some of the strongest companies (as measured by the Fortune 1000 index) were started during times of recession. So perhaps these number indicate that many the state's best entrepreneurs, employees, and investors are already busy building the strong companies of the future.

Of course that's not to say we can't also ask if there is anything more we can do to encourage new business formation.

Key Points:


• New business filings slipped in Q3 and the pace of employment growth slowed.

• Employment projected to continue expanding in Q4 2015 and Q1 2016 despite the fall in new business filings.

• Current Colorado economic indicators continue to show strong growth.

• Pace of national job growth has slowed, while GDP rebounded. 
 

New business filings recorded by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office slipped in Q3 2015. This coincides with slowing Colorado employment growth recorded for the last 7 months, effectively leaving Colorado to resemble the nation in terms of year-over-year employment growth—a place Colorado hasn’t been in a while. Despite the lower filings activity, Colorado is expected to continue to add jobs in Q4 2015 and Q1 2016.
Source: http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/business/q...

RTD Announces Rail Service to DIA Starts April 22, 2016

Passengers will be able to ride the RTD University of Colorado A Line starting April 22nd, 2016. The new electric commuter rail, which is larger and faster than light rail, will be able to carry riders from Union Station in downtown Denver to DIA in only 37 minutes. The fare to DIA is a reasonable $9 regardless of where travelers board. 

The 23 mile line will serve eight stations including Union Station in downtown, the new Denver Airport Station at the Westin Denver International Airport Hotel, and the new 40th & Colorado station, conveniently located across the street from the Colorado Business Roundtable's offices.

“This project has been made possible through regional collaboration. None of this could have happened without the cooperation and teamwork from our partners who have worked tirelessly to deliver a quality project that will take public transit in the Denver metro area to the next level,” RTD Board Chair Chuck Sisk said in a statement. “We are also very proud of our naming rights partnership with the University of Colorado.”
Source: http://www.rtd-denver.com/a-line.shtml#sta...

House Committee Will Take Up Highway Bill

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will mark up a multiyear surface transportation bill on Oct. 22.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said it would mark up a long term bill to renew highway and transit programs on Oct. 22, according to committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.)

“Our nation’s economy depends on a safe, efficient surface transportation system, and one of the Transportation committee’s priorities is to address the needs of the system,” the chairman said on Oct. 14.

“Next week, the committee will move forward with the policy and authorization provisions of a bill to improve America's surface transportation infrastructure, reform programs, refocus those programs and national priorities, provide more flexibility and certainty for state and local partners and welcome innovation,” Shuster stated.

The Senate passed a six-year highway bill (H.R. 22) in July that includes a $46 billion transfer of general funds to the Highway Trust Fund that would be balanced by decreasing the Federal Reserve's dividend payments to member banks and supporting the sale of crude oil.



OEDIT announces Colorado's New Enterprise Zones

PRESS RELEASE - DENVER - Fri., Aug. 28, 2015 - After extensive review and collaboration with local communities and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the Colorado Economic Development Commission has approved 14 Enterprise Zones to be effective Jan. 1, 2016.

The 14 Enterprise Zones are:
Central and Southern Jefferson County, Larimer County, Mesa County, North Metro, North-East-Central, Northwest, Pikes Peak, Pueblo, Region 10, South Metro, Southeast Central, Southwest, and Weld County. Zone maps can be found at www.advancecolorado.com/ezredesignation.


Enterprise Zones encourage business development in areas of economic distress. Businesses in the zones are eligible for state income tax credits when they create new jobs, invest in business property and job training, and other development activities encouraged under the program. Program information is available at www.advancecolorado.com/ez

Local representatives and Enterprise Zone administrators worked to evaluate their communities, identify areas of economic distress, and distill objectives for those areas. The administrators will be focusing on fulfilling the stated objectives for these designated areas in the years ahead.

Proposals for Adams County and Denver are still in review and are expected to be approved in October.
 

Source: http://www.advancecolorado.com/funding-inc...