Free Upcoming Events From Small Business Majority

Small Business Majority offers educational events and webinars on access to capital, retirement security and the healthcare law. Please go to our website to find an event near you, or browse the topics and dates below for our online webinars.

Browse all upcoming events

Access to Capital 101 Webinar: Funding Options to Start and Grow Your Business

Are you having trouble obtaining funding for your business? Through these free national webinars we will help you navigate the funding landscape and connect you with resources to help you obtain the capital you need to start and grow your business.

Upcoming Dates and Times:
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT
A representative from Kiva will be joining us on this webinar.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT

Register Today!

Wealth and Financial Security Webinar: Money Now, Money Later: The ABCs of Financing Your Small Business and Building Your Retirement

Join us for a free webinar to help you navigate the funding landscape and finance the growth of your small business. We will focus on microloans, crowdfunding, online lenders and guarding against predatory lending. Growing your business also means securing your finances, so we will provide an overview of common retirement paths for small business owners and employees.

Upcoming Dates and Times:

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT

Register Today!

Healthcare Webinar: What the Healthcare Law Means for your Small Business

These webinars will focus on what the healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, means for small businesses. They will cover small business tax credits, cost containment and other provisions to help you understand the federal law.

Upcoming Dates and Times:
Thursday, September 15, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT
Thursday, September 29, 2016 - 11:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM EDT

Spanish version: Lo Que Significa la Ley de Salud para su Pequena Empresa

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 - 1:00 PM PDT / 4:00 PM EDT
Register Today!

Copyright © 2016 Small Business Majority, All rights reserved.

Denver Startup Week Returns for Fifth Year

Check out the recent Connect and Collaborate podcast about Denver Startup Week

DENVER (Sept. 7, 2015) – Denver Startup Week, the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind in North America, returns to Downtown Denver for a fifth year from Sept. 12 through 16.

Denver Startup Week, created to celebrate and grow a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Denver, will feature more than 250 programs geared toward the entire entrepreneurial community. Events span networking sessions, mentor hours, workshops, leadership spotlights and panel presentations that collectively are expected to attract more than 10,000 people looking to start or grow their business in Denver. Denver Startup Week is sponsored by Chase for Business, Comcast, the Downtown Denver Partnership and more than 40 other organizations.

The week will begin with a Kick-off Breakfast on Monday, Sept. 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Seawell Ballroom, which will showcase successful startup stories including:
·        Keynote Speaker: Ryan Wood, founder of Sweetwood Cattle Company and co-founder of Under Armour

·        Denver Startup Community Speakers: Eddie Kim, co-founder and CTO of Gusto; Lee Mayer, co-founder and CEO Havenly; Chris Terill, CEO of HomeAdvisor

Denver’s reputation as one of the best places to start and grow a business has once again attracted notable speakers and founders including Bryan Leach, CEO of Ibotta, Joshua Reeves, CEO and Co-Founder of Gusto, Dan Caruso, CEO and Chairman of Zayo Group, Mel Robbins, a well-known and inspirational TEDx Talk speaker, and more.

Organized by the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and co-led by Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Erik Mitisek, executive director of Project X-ITE at the University of Denver, and Ben Deda, chief operating officer at Galvanize, Denver Startup Week is focused on highlighting Denver as an entrepreneurial center on the local, regional and national stage, while enhancing community and providing resources for the startup community.

Highlights of the more than 250 events include:

A focus on diversity:
From how entrepreneurship can be infused into curriculum and a spotlight on some of our community’s youngest entrepreneurs, to the powerful role veterans and women play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Denver Startup Week programs showcase the diverse faces and industries of startup businesses in Denver including:
·        A Bigger Tent: Women in Colorado’s Tech Scene, Monday, 9/12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

·        Successful Young Entrepreneurs: How to be one, How to raise one, Monday, 9/12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

·        Women in Tech: Stories from the Front Lines, Tuesday, 9/13 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

·        Innovative Education, Wednesday, 9/14 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

·        Veterans are for Startups, Thursday, 9/15 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

·        Denver: The Best Place in America for Veterans Transitioning Into Tech & Startups, Thursday, 9/15 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

·        Periods, Airbags and Artificial Hearts, Thursday, 9/15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Can’t miss Headline Events including:

·        Women Who Startup Summit, Tuesday, 9/13 from 6 to 10 p.m.

·        DISH Present’s HBO’s ‘Silicon Valley’ in Denver: The Intersection of TV and Tech Startups, Wednesday, 9/14 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

·        Startup Week Job Fair, Wednesday, 9/14 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

·        Closing Bash, Featuring Denver Startup Week Pitch Challenge Finals, Thursday, 9/16 from

A sampling from Denver Startup Week’s Six Programming Tracks featuring:

·        Both Sides of the Funding Table (Designer Track), Monday, 9/12 from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring Top Chef Winner Chef Hosea Rosenberg and followed by the Colorado Small Business Development Center Trout Tank Pitch Competition

·        Art, Culture and the Startup City featuring Meow Wolf (Designer Track), Tuesday, 9/13 from 10 to 12 p.m., highlighting how art, culture and design help attract top talent to cities

·        Cage Match! Man vs. Machine in Content Marketing (Growth Track), Tuesday, 9/13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., who will emerge the winner in social media content creation?

·        Energy, Clean Tech, and a Secure Energy Future in the US & Israel (Growth Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on how companies in Colorado and Israel are at the forefront of a secure energy future

·        So You Want to Be Acquired – Stories from Two Recent Tech Buy-Outs (Founder Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. featuring Rally Software and Ping Identity

·        Angel Speed Dating (Founder Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with a chance to sit for 3-5 minutes with an angel investor

·        CTO Panel: Choose your Stack Wisely (Developer Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., featuring CTOs from Digabit, Inc., Four Winds Interactive and Alchemy IoT

·        Cybersecurity for startups: What you need to know and do to ensure your success (Developer Track), Tuesday, 9/13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., featuring local startups Protectwise and Red Canary

·        The Exciting Realm of Pet-focused Startups (Maker Track), Tuesday, 9/13 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

·        Exposure Doesn’t Pay the Bills: An Art Lesson (Maker Track), Monday, 9/12 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on why dialogue around doing art “for exposure” should change

·        We Launch Products That Are Too Complicated (Product Track), Monday, 9/12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on how to keep your product simple

·        Patents 101 (Product Track), Wednesday, 9/14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. with advice from Rocky Mountain Patent

In addition, significant funding resources will be awarded at several pitching and business plan competitions including the inaugural Denver Startup Week Pitch Challenge, which will yield 8 finalists from more than 100 applicants to pitch for the championship on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Galvanize Platte Street.
 
Back by popular demand, Basecamp launched by Chase for Business returns as the hub and epicenter of Denver Startup Week. Basecamp, located on the first floor of 1515 Arapahoe Street (16th and Arapahoe Streets), will feature an exciting line-up of entrepreneurs and innovators through keynote speakers, panels and mentoring sessions throughout the week. See the complete schedule at www.denverstartupweek.com/basecamp.

Highlights of Basecamp’s free programming include:
·        Inspirational Programs and Leadership Sessions: Inspiring conversations and panel discussions with some of the leading minds from the startup community and spanning a wide-range of topics. Programs occur every hour on the hour throughout the week. 

·        Mentor, Biz Dev and Financial Fitness Sessions: One-on-one sessions perfect for entrepreneurs looking for feedback, advice, mentorship or an opportunity to pitch a new partnership.

·        Inaugural Maker’s Wall: Constructed by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the inaugural Maker’s Wall will showcase products from Colorado’s diverse maker community including Revolar, Topo Designs, Icelantic Skis, Novo Coffee and more.

·        Food Forward Showcase: Shining a spotlight on Denver’s booming food and beverage startup scene, the Food Forward Showcase features an esteemed list of food and beverage industry innovators on Monday, 9/12 from 4 to 6 p.m.

All Denver Startup Week events take place at locations throughout Downtown Denver.
Media headquarters, including credential distribution and space for writing, charging and interviews, will be available at Basecamp. Media credentials will be distributed at the Kick-off Breakfast and also at Basecamp Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Media interested in covering Denver Startup Week should contact Brea Olson at [email protected].

Stay connected to Denver Startup Week at www.DenverStartupWeek.org, by following @DENStartupWeek and @BasecampLiveDEN on Twitter, by liking the DSW Facebook page and following us on Instagram.

About Denver Startup Week: 
Denver Startup Week, founded in 2012, is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver. The weeklong event is intended to unite the entrepreneurial community in Denver and celebrate the great companies, innovation and ideas happening in the city and the people and inspiration behind them.  The core programming is centered on the entrepreneurial community with an emphasis in technology, design, social entrepreneurship, manufacturing and business.  

Events throughout the week are organized by both the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and the community at-large and include sessions, presentations, panels, workshops, happy hours, social events, job fairs and more.  Denver Startup Week is sponsored by the Downtown Denver Partnership, Comcast, Chase for Business and several community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.DenverStartupWeek.org. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Brea Olson, @DENStartupWeek, 303.775.4712
[email protected]

Mid-Year Economic Report Shows Mixed Results for Small Biz

National Small Business Association (NSBA) released on September 7 its 2016 Mid-Year Economic Report which shows mixed results, specifically: the majority of small-business owners are projecting a flat economy in the coming 12 months, however slightly more today are anticipating economic expansion than did just six months ago.

Here are links to the survey below along with several social media posts you are welcome to use. NSBA and COBRT greatly appreciate any help you can provide in spreading the word about this survey within your networks.

-----------------------------
2016 Mid-Year Economic Report Social Media Posts

• Majority of #smallbiz project a flat economy in the coming year per @NSBAAdvocate report
• Slightly more #smallbiz expect economic expansion than just 6 months ago per @NSBAAdvocate report
• 72% of #smallbiz are confident in the future of their own business per @NSBAAdvocate report
• 25% of #smallbiz plan to launch a new product line in the coming year per @NSBAAdvocate report
• Job growth continues to linger at 23% of #smallbiz adding workers in past year per @NSBAAdvocate report
• Bank lending to #smallbiz decreased over last 6 months per @NSBAAdvocate report
• Top thing #smallbiz wants policymakers to address: reduce the deficit per @NSBAAdvocate report
• Majority of #smallbiz say fed taxes have moderate to significant impact on day-to-day operations per @NSBAAdvocate report

Choose:
Full Link (to add to posts): http://www.nsba.biz/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Mid-Year-Economic-Report-2016.pdf

Shortened Link (to add to posts): ow.ly/bA08303Ys80

NSBA Urges Business Invitations to Congressional Delegation During Recess

For the next six weeks, Members of Congress will be spending most of their time away from Washington, back in their districts. This period represents an outstanding opportunity—particularly during an election year—to spend time with these officials and give them a meaningful look at small business reality.

We find that members of Congress (and Congressional candidates) often welcome the opportunity to visit local businesses and learn about their operations, challenges, and concerns. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to consider inviting members of your local Congressional delegation to visit your business this summer and talk with you, your employees, your customers, and your neighboring businesses. While these visits usually work best when they are not overtly political, they nevertheless represent an opportunity to talk about key small business issues.

We hope that you will strongly consider participating in this effort. To assist you, we have put together a web-based toolkit, which will walk you step-by-step through the invitation, the meeting itself, and the post-visit follow-up. To access this information, please register by clicking here and you will then be directed to the toolkit.

While we believe that the visit will be most beneficial if it focuses on your business—its history, growth, and challenges, as well as the leadership role that you play within your local community—it would be most helpful to the small business cause if you could present your guest with a copy of NSBA’s priority issues, and ask the candidates to sign our Small Business Pledge, which asks them to support small business concerns as a priority in Congress. Both of these documents are part of the toolkit mentioned above.

While we hope we have delivered to you a turn-key package, please do not hesitate to contact us with questions, suggestions, and feedback.  I hope that this opportunity is as rewarding and productive as I think it will be.

Thank you in advance for helping to carry the small business message.

Sincerely,

Todd McCracken
President and CEO
National Small Business Association
America's Small Business Advocate

E-470’s 25 Years Dedicated to “Safety, Service, Speed and Stewardship”

Twenty-five years ago (June 1, 1991), Governor Roy Romer and a host of other officials and VIPs cut the ribbon on the first five-mile section of the E-470 toll road, linking the I-25/C-470 interchange to Parker Road. It was the only toll road in Colorado at that time.

Speakers at the event hailed the toll road’s future and the intergovernmental cooperation that made it possible in the absence of any state or federal funding. They expressed confidence that the skeptics who derided E-470 as the “road to nowhere” would be proven wrong. And their confidence was not misplaced.

Serving about 5,000 customers per day in 1991, today E-470 is 47 miles long and has traffic volume, as measured in toll transactions, averaging more than 200,000 per day. While there will be no ceremonies this year to mark the milestone, “We’ll take note of this special date but
otherwise it will be business as usual,” said E-470 Executive Director Tim Stewart on June 1. “We’re busy making sure we’re delivering what was promised 25 years ago: safety, service, speed and stewardship.”

The toll road has been financed, constructed, operated and maintained by the E-470 Public Highway Authority and is not taxpayer funded. The authority is a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, operating as an “enterprise” under state statute and thus is self-sustaining, generating its own revenues without recourse to taxpayer funds. The authority is composed of its eight member jurisdictions, those being five municipalities (Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Parker, and Thornton) and three counties (Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas). Each jurisdiction has one voting member on the eight-member E-470 Board of Directors.

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS: Jessica Carson, E-470 Marketing and Communications Manager, 303-537-3706, [email protected]; Dan Christopherson, Christopherson & Co. Public Relations, 303-779-4920, [email protected]

Connect with us: www.expresstoll.com 

External Audit Verifies City's Good Financial Health

Reposted from denvergov.org

The City and County of Denver received an unmodified or “clean” opinion from its independent auditor, BKD, for 2015.  Denver’s Charter requires an annual independent external audit of the City’s finances, with separate reports for Denver International Airport, the Wastewater Management fund and the Deferred Compensation Plan Trust Fund.  

These audits verify that the City and County of Denver (CCD) has accurately and fairly presented information in its financial statements.  “The overall financial condition of Denver is excellent,” observed Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA, who is chairman of the City’s Audit Committee which supervises the annual external audit.  Denver has submitted its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) to the Government Finance Officers' Association for a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  CCD has received this award every year.

“Denver is a huge operation, so it’s no surprise that everything doesn’t work perfectly all the time,” explained O’Brien.  “The purpose of the annual external audit is to identify areas of risk for the City.  City Controller Beth Machann and other City officials have instituted a culture of continuous improvement to make sure errors aren’t repeated, and that systems are perfected to prevent inaccurate accounting.”

BKD’s 2015 audit found a material weakness in DIA’s accounting for capital assets.  BKD recommended that in projects like the DIA Hotel and Transit Center, involving multiple funding sources and multiple contractors, tracking mechanisms should be developed for financial assurance and financial reporting.  BKD also recommended that documentation of significant decisions should be maintained.

Significant deficiencies were found in capital asset accounting and reporting, which was the subject of an audit performed by the Auditor’s Office in March.  In the Denver Department of Human Services, limited staffing led to infrequent reviews of the electronic benefit transfer card.  It was also recommended that DDHS enforce its policy detailing when and why case comments should be entered by case workers dealing with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.  The Office of Economic Development was encouraged to obtain Federal Housing Authority rates annually to calculate the correct amount of federal housing assistance in affordable housing projects. 

“The City agreed with all of BKD’s findings,” said O’Brien.  “BKD also alerted us to new accounting requirements that will be effective in future audits, and provided helpful guidance on the past year’s implementation of GASB 68 rules for pension accounting and reporting.  BKD’s government experience and familiarity with frequently changing accounting rules are a beneficial combination for the City and County of Denver.”

2015 Management Letter from BKD
2015 Required Communication
2015 Single Audit Reports
2015 DIA Financial Statements
2015 DIA Passenger Facility Charges Statements
2015 Wastewater Management Financial Statements
2015 Deferred Compensation Plan Statements
2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne Announces Colorado Blueprint 2.0 Initiative Recipients

DENVER - Thurs., July 21, 2016 - Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne today visited the town of Delta to announce recipients of the first round of the Colorado Blueprint 2.0 initiatives. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) launched Blueprint 2.0 last year as a way to examine how best to serve rural communities around the state and identify opportunities to leverage the state's resources. 

"Blueprint 2.0 is a great example of how Colorado is going above and beyond existing resources to support the needs of our rural regions," said Lt Gov. Donna Lynne. "We congratulate today's recipients and look forward to seeing how these regions leverage the new services and resources to help strengthen their economies and communities."

Colorado Blueprint 2.0 Recipients:
* Industry Attraction Initiative: Rio Blanco, Trinidad
* Competitive Advantage: Fort Morgan, Limon, Dillon
* Grow Your Outdoor Recreation Industry: Ouray, Montrose
* Strengthen Local Business Brand: San Luis Valley, Buena Vista, Delta
* Tiny Homes Community Master Plan: Morgan, Steamboat, Pagosa Springs`
* Adaptive Reuse Workshop: Brush, Delta County, Summit County
* Call Yourself Creative: Buena Vista, Rio Blanco County, Kremmling
* Incubator/Accelerator Best Practices: Morgan County, Steamboat, NWCOG
* Tourism Promotion: La Junta, Delta County, Rio Blanco County
* Community-Led Initiative: Custer County

Over the past year, OEDIT hosted 13 strategy sessions throughout the rural regions of Colorado to develop the ten different initiatives that communities would find most beneficial to apply for through Blueprint 2.0. Each initiative includes services not previously provided by the State, and leverages state resources and partnerships with organizations outside of the State of Colorado to provide technical assistance to regions who expressed an interest in pursuing the initiatives.

Many communities applied for Colorado Blueprint 2.0 initiatives, and during the application process, communities and regions were asked to demonstrate collaboration, strong local leadership and solid support for the initiative they chose to pursue.

Initiatives will be deployed between now and December 2016. A new round of Blueprint 2.0 initiatives will be unveiled in 2017.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper
Office of Economic Development & International Trade
Holly Shrewsbury, 303-892-3847
[email protected]

Downtown Denver Partnership Recognizes Success of Place-Based Economic Development Strategy, Honors Members at Annual Meeting

DENVER (July 20, 2016) – The Downtown Denver Partnership recognized the success of its place-based economic development strategy at the organization’s 61st Annual Meeting today, also outlining strategic initiatives for the coming year and honoring outstanding contributions by its leaders and members. The annual meeting, presented by Grant Thornton, is an opportunity for the Downtown Denver Partnership (Partnership) to showcase activities that align with the high-impact strategies outlined in the 2007 Downtown Area Plan and report on progress toward building a healthy and vital Downtown Denver. More than 900 civic and business leaders were in attendance.
 
“The Downtown Denver Partnership leads the private sector to build Downtown Denver as the premier economic hub of the region,” says Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “We have a bias for action through results-driven planning and execution, and our impact on the center city is significant. We appreciate the opportunity to come together with our more than 720 member organizations each year to celebrate our success and look forward to the impact we will make in the coming year.”
 
The Partnership reported on accomplishments over the past year, which are detailed in the organization’s 2015-16 Annual Report, and announced several priorities for the upcoming year, including:
 
·        Advancing implementation of the Downtown Security Action Plan, including hiring a private security team for the 16th Street Mall (Mall) and establishing a security command center to coordinate information sharing and implementation of the plan.

·        Launching an interactive Arapahoe Square Property Owner Map to allow developers, investors and City agencies to see parcel-specific information regarding ownership, improvements and zoning. Arapahoe Square is one of the seven transformative projects in the Downtown Area Plan, and the Partnership is also leading several initiatives to spur catalytic investment in this area including developing a brand vision to best tell the story of Downtown’s Next Great Neighborhood.

·        Leading marketing efforts to recruit senior developers to Downtown Denver to expand Downtown’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and meet the growing demand for top talent.

·        Advocating for affordable housing options while balancing business and property owner interests, including evaluating funding sources, uses and governance for the City’s proposed dedicated revenue fund for affordable housing.

·        Working with public- and private-sector partners to develop a competitiveness report that, with the support of a national consultant, will define key indicators to inform policy decisions including tax initiatives, business incentives and infrastructure investments.

·        Defining a clear vision for the future of the Mall, in collaboration with the City and County of Denver and the Regional Transportation District, through The Mall Experience study.

·        Developing a strategic plan for economic development for the Mall that will emphasize retail and development opportunities, and take into account amenities that support visitors, workers and residents.

·        Pursuing a Local Maintenance District for Skyline Park to provide additional private sector support of maintenance, infrastructure and programming.

·        Establishing the vision and course for the Downtown Loop, an urban trail that will weave through the center city to connect cultural destinations, attract visitors, and represent Denver’s outdoor, environmental and artistic values.

·        Engaging with the City to update the Downtown Multi Modal Access Plan to advance the use of emerging transportation technologies, choices in mobility and a network of options to support how people move in cities.

The Partnership also recognized the leadership of outgoing chairman of the Partnership, Joe Vostrejs, partner of City Street Investors. Walter Isenberg, president & CEO of Sage Hospitality, was elected as chairman of the Partnership for 2016-17. In addition, Rob Cohen, CEO of The IMA Financial Group, Inc., was elected for a second term as chairman of Downtown Denver Inc.; Trinidad Rodriguez, senior vice president & managing director, Public Finance of D.A. Davidson, was elected chairman of Denver Civic Ventures; and Bill Mosher, senior managing director of Trammell Crow Company, was elected chairman-elect of the Partnership.
 
Several members were also recognized for their significant contributions to the Partnership’s efforts in the urban core:
 
Honorary Partner Award: Presented to a member who exhibits strong leadership and engagement in the Partnership for a period of at least ten years

·        Cole Finegan, Regional Managing Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP

Peter Bowes Award: Presented to a member who exemplifies the legacy of Peter Bowes, past chairman of the Downtown Denver Partnership

·        Brandy Bertram, Director of Development, Colorado Open Lands

Volunteer of the Year Awards: Presented to members who have made significant contributions to the Partnership’s programs and initiatives over the last year

·        Tom Carroll, Associate, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

·        Kevin Kelley, Office Managing Partner, Husch Blackwell

·        Wendy Williams, Director of Property Management, Vector Property Services, LLC
 
Click here to read more about the award winners. For more information, including to view the 2015-16 Downtown Denver Partnership Annual Report visit downtowndenver.com.
 
About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

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B Line to Westminster Opens July 25

Reposted from RTD-FasTracks

RTD received official notice that the B Line from Union Station in downtown Denver to Westminster will be ready and open for service on Monday, July 25, 2016. This notice came from project concessionaire, Denver Transit Partners (DTP). 

"RTD staff, our contractors as well as our federal, state and local partners have put in a remarkable effort to complete the B Line's first segment," RTD Chair of the Board of Directors Tom Tobiassen said. "This rail line will be the third project this year the agency opens to the public with the G and R Lines coming later in 2016. This many major transit line openings in one year are unprecedented in public transportation and the region should be proud of the collaboration that is making it happen."

The B Line to Westminster will be the second electric commuter rail line to operate in Denver-the first being the University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport, which began service on April 22.

"Our ability to bring this type of rail connection to the Denver area is ground-breaking and will change the way residents and visitors experience our great cities," said RTD's CEO and General Manager Dave Genova. "We have elevated the standards of transit by implementing an electric commuter rail system that is safe, quick and highly accessible."

The ride from Union Station to Westminster will take 11 minutes. Trains will run every 30 minutes during peak hours (6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., Monday through Friday) and every 60 minutes during non-peak hours every day.

Electric commuter rail vehicles are faster than light rail, with a top speed of 79 mph versus 55 mph. The vehicles are also larger and carry more people than light rail vehicles-200 people at maximum. Commuter rail vehicles have level boarding at all doors of the train and have two wheelchair spaces per car. These trains also have large seats, overhead storage, luggage towers and bicycle racks.

This segment of the B Line will serve two stations: Denver's Union Station and the new Westminster Station located at West 69th Avenue (future Westminster Station Drive) and Grove Street.

"The opening of Westminster Station in a few short months presents a tremendous opportunity for the city and regional commuters  - 11 minutes nonstop to Denver from a signature station will be a catalyst for future development," Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison said. "We're excited to be leading the way with the first connection on the FasTracks Northwest Rail line to Boulder and Longmont."

The remaining segment, from south Westminster to Longmont, will be diesel-powered commuter rail. Construction of the line from Westminster to Longmont will begin when funding becomes available.

The B Line to Westminster is part of the Eagle P3 project, the nation's first full public-private partnership for transit. Eagle P3 is a $2.2 billion project, which includes local RTD taxes combined with a $1.03 billion federal grant and $450 million from DTP, the project concessionaire. As concessionaire, DTP will build, operate and maintain the trains for 34 years.

MONDAY•  JULY 25
GRAND OPENING
Westminster Station
3200 Westminster Station Dr
(just west of 71st and Federal)

Ceremony
10 A.M. – 11 A.M.

Celebration
Family friendly fun, games, food, and live music!
11 A.M. – 4 P.M.

Free rides on the B Line!
11 A.M. – 9 P.M.

SATURDAY•  JULY 30
STATION PARTIES
Union Station
Games, music, entertainment!
2 P.M. – 6 P.M.

Westminster Station
Carnival games, food, beer garden, face painting, live music, and fireworks show at 9pm!
6 P.M. – 10 P.M.

Free rides on ALL rail lines!
5 A.M. – 10 P.M.

Colorado Tourism Office Accepting Marketing Matching Grant Program Applications

This year's funding increased by over $100,000
 
DENVER - Fri., July 15, 2016 - The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is now accepting applications for its Marketing Matching Grant Program, which has increased its grants awards by $100,000. The annual competitive grant program offers financial assistance to Colorado's tourism industry for enhancing marketing efforts to visitors. All applications for grant requests must be submitted online by 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2016.

The program will award up to $600,000 in grants, an increase from the $500,000 awarded last year. Grants up to $25,000 each will be awarded, and for every $1 the awarded organization allocates to the program, the CTO will provide $1 in matching funds. Up to 20 percent of the match may include services such as staff time or donated services or materials relevant to the grant project. Funds will be awarded to multiple organizations in both the regional/partnership and statewide categories.

The CTO Marketing Matching Grant Program provides funding to Colorado not-for-profit organizations for promotion of the state or a region as a tourism destination. Travel regions throughout the state are eligible for these grant dollars, as well as statewide associations, organizations and other nonprofit entities that engage in promoting travel throughout Colorado.

For more information regarding the grant program and instructions on how to apply, please click here. For additional help using the online grant system, or any other questions, contact Elizabeth O'Rear at 303-892-3893 or elizabeth.o'[email protected].
 

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www.advancecolorado.com

Denver Regional Visual Resources Compiles Region's Most Interesting Data in Interactive Format

Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) recently announced the availability of Denver Regional Visual Resources (DRVR), a web-based resource which takes some of the most interesting data in the region and compiles it in an interactive, visual format.

DRCOG represents almost 60 municipal and county governments in the Denver region, where those local governments collaborate to establish guidelines, set policy and allocate funding in the areas of: transportation and personal mobility, growth and development, and aging and disability resources. 

One of DRCOG's most important roles is to produce data, information, maps and models in support of regional planning and collaborative local government initiatives. Visit DRVR, where data is organized into demographic, employment, transportation and community profiles. Besides having this data at your fingertips, you can use the visualizations in your local newsletters or on your community website (for an example, see the City of Northglenn's website). 

DRCOG also organized data by state and federal legislative districts. This functionality allows you to obtain a profile for each legislative district -- including demographic, employment, transportation, and housing and education data. DRCOG hopes the information gives you a better understanding of our region, and is a useful tool for communications with your communities. 

Colorado SBDC Network's 7th Annual Women's Small Business Conference to Feature "Shark Tank" Winner

The Colorado SBDC Network's 7th Annual Women's Small Business Conference will be held on July 22 and will feature keynote speaker Traci Brown who will discuss her Shark Tank deal. Attendees will enjoy one-on-one consulting, networking and training sessions. The conference is an exciting opportunity for existing businesses wanting to grow, as well as those that are looking to start a new venture.

WHAT: 7th Annual Women's Small Business Conference

WHEN: Fri., July 22, 2016, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, CO

WHO: Entrepreneurs throughout Colorado. Keynote speaker Traci Brown will discuss how she earned a deal from Shark Tank's original shark Kevin Harrington. She will take attendees through her Shark Tank journey - from the initial pitch to infomercial and beyond. She will discuss the persuasive techniques needed to achieve results in any area of life. 

COST: $65 (scholarships available). For more information and a detailed schedule, please visithttp://www.coloradosbdc.org/events/womens. Exhibitor tables are available for purchase.
 

# # #

Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper
Office of Economic Development & International Trade
Holly Shrewsbury, 303-892-3847
[email protected]
 

Meet in the Street Begins Saturday; Events and Activities to Engage Community on Long-Term Future of the 16th Street Mall

DENVER (June 23, 2016) – Meet in the Street, presented by DaVita and produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, returns for a third year beginning Saturday, June 25, and continues each Saturday and Sunday on the 16th Street Mall (Mall) through July 24. Meet in the Street transforms the Mall into a fully activated pedestrian zone with activities including more than 10 extended outdoor cafes, live music, fitness classes, cultural performances, a kids zone and more.

Meet in the Street is produced in partnership with the City and County of Denver and the Regional Transportation District (RTD). The RTD Free MallRide Service will be moved to 15th Street (toward Denver Union Station) and 17th Street (away from Denver Union Station) via the Free MetroRide buses all weekend during Meet in the Street.

“The 16th Street Mall is Denver’s Main Street, and we are actively working to ensure its long-term future as a thriving public space,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “On a normal day, only one percent of people spend time on the Mall, contrasted by tens of thousands people passing through. We want to change that through place-making projects that activate the Mall and encourage people to come more often, and stay longer.”

Meet in the Street is one of the programs informing the City and the Partnership’s efforts to identify ways to help the Mall reach its full potential as a welcoming place in the heart of Downtown as part of The Mall Experience: The Future of Denver’s 16th Street Mall study. Analysis of Meet in the Street will continue this summer to help Mall partners hone in on long-term changes to the Mall and adjacent sites. Volunteer opportunities are available for urban researchers to help conduct observational studies along the Mall throughout the summer.

Each day of Meet in the Street will bring something different, with programming support from several community partners and organizations, including title sponsor, DaVita.

“We see Meet in the Street as part of our civic responsibility and are excited to do our share to help facilitate a rich experience,” said Javier Rodriguez, CEO of DaVita Kidney Care. “We are energized by the thriving Denver community and this is a great opportunity for friends and neighbors to meet and experience the 16th Street Mall in an entirely new way.”
 
Highlighted activities for the five weekends of Meet in the Street include:
·        The Partnership’s Downtown Denver Leadership Program (DDLP) will install and unveil their “Urban Tangle” project the morning of Saturday, June 25, between Stout and Champa Streets. Be sure to look up to see the installation that is designed to transform the canopy along the block through 22,600 feet of red rope that will weave from buildings and through trees. DDLP is studying and supporting Mall activation as part of their 2016 class project.

·        The Mall will transform into an urban park each weekend between Glenarm and Welton Streets, with seating, shade and turf making it the perfect place to sit and relax or challenge your friends to a lawn game.

·        Paramount Café will unveil Downtown Denver’s latest urban art just in time for Meet in the Street. The mural, running in the alley adjacent to Paramount Café, will be unveiled Friday, June 24, at 3 p.m. and was commissioned by the restaurant in collaboration with design company Ink Monstr, the Partnership, the Kittredge and Masonic Buildings, and Breckenridge Brewery. The project supports efforts to leverage alleys as thriving public spaces and the alley will host Sipping n’ Painting classes on June 25 as well as other events throughout the summer.

·        Live music will be prevalent throughout Meet in the Street, including a featured performance by the DaVita Blues All Stars’ on July 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. on the community stage located between Welton and California Streets. The DaVita Blues All Stars is a band composed exclusively of DaVita teammates to provide entertainment, fun and to support The DaVita Village Trust, which provides kidney disease education and the provision of dialysis services in emerging nations that cannot afford to provide this vital, life-saving service.

·        The Big Wonderful will bring its unique blend of music, beer gardens, games, flea and fun to the Mall between Welton and California Streets on July 9, 10, 23 and 24.

·        Play corn hole outside your favorite watering hole along the 16th Street Mall on July 9. Winners at each location will compete to become Denver’s premier corn hole champion.

Additional activities and highlighted events can be found at downtowndenver.com/summer.

Meet in the Street will culminate the weekend of July 23 and 24 with the inaugural Downtown Denver Prototyping Festival. The Prototyping Festival will feature nine projects that will experiment with ideas for public spaces and showcase ideas for how participatory design, art and technology can create connections and greater ownership of public spaces and how they are used. Accepted submissions received a $2,500 stipend to support project creation and installation.

“The Mall Experience study is helping us understand more about how the Mall’s physical features and activities affect experiences,” said Brad Buchanan, executive director of Denver Community Planning and Development. “The Mall is a very successful transit corridor, but now we want to ask more of the Mall.”

For more information about Meet in the Street, as well as other summer programs and volunteer opportunities, visit www.downtowndenver.com/summer. Follow along on social media with #MeetintheStreet.

About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com. Follow the Downtown Denver Partnership on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District
The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (BID) is a public organization funded by private commercial property owners. It strives to provide a clean, safe and vibrant Downtown environment for workers, residents and visitors. Through their annual assessments to this quasi-governmental entity, BID property owners fund a series of district-wide programs that enhance Downtown Denver, including cleaning and maintenance efforts, safety initiatives and targeted visitor marketing. The BID is an independent organization that contracts with the Downtown Denver Partnership to manage its work program. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com/about-the-bid.

Space Foundation Report Reveals Global Space Economy at $323 Billion in 2015

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 22, 2016) - The Space Foundation today released the findings of its publication The Space Report 2016: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity.

In 2015, the global space economy totaled $323 billion worldwide. The decline from $329 billion in 2014 was due primarily to the strengthening dollar, meaning that non-U.S. government budgets and industry revenues appeared smaller even though most experienced growth in their own currencies.

With a total of $246 billion, commercial space activities made up 76 percent of the global space economy. The U.S. government spent $45 billion on defense and non-defense space efforts in 2015, a 3 percent increase from 2014.

Non-U.S. government space investment declined by 14 percent in dollar terms, primarily due to exchange rates, to a total of $32 billion in 2015. In reality, most countries increased their budgets for space activities.

The Space Report Key Findings 
The Space Report 2016 contains worldwide space facts and figures and is illustrated with photographs, charts and graphs detailing the benefits of space exploration and utilization, the challenges facing the space sector, the opportunities for future growth and the major factors that shape the industry. In addition, The Space Report includes an overview of each sector, easy-to-understand definitions and up-to-date information on space infrastructure, facilities, launches and programs.

About the Report
The Space Report is published annually by the Space Foundation, using in-house industry analysts working with a European aerospace consulting firm, Eurospace, to research and analyze government and industry trends in space activity.

About the Website 
The Space Foundation offers an online service that provides subscribers with access to all the research conducted for The Space Report dating back to 2005, as well as new data sets that have never appeared in the report. This website provides users with updates throughout the year, as well as customizable charts and downloadable data for further analysis. To view more information about this service, visit www.TheSpaceReport.org.

The Space Report 2016 is on Sale Now
The Space Report is the definitive body of information about the global space industry. It is a valuable resource for government and business leaders, educators, financial analysts, students and space-related businesses. The report can be purchased as a downloadable PDF for $399. A website subscription can be purchased for $3,500. The subscription includes the ability to download every published edition of The Space Report. Purchases can be made online at www.TheSpaceReport.org.

Licenses for businesses and schools, academic pricing and discounted previous editions of The Space Report are also available via online purchase.

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, in support of its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity." Space Foundation World Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. The Space Foundation has a Washington, D.C., office and field representatives in Houston and the Florida Space Coast. Through its Space CertificationTM and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest,Twitter, Google+, Flickr and YouTube, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.

 

Contact:
Carol Hively, Director - Public Relations and Team Communications
[email protected]
HQ: +1.719.576.8000

RTD Civic Center Station Closing for Major Renovation

DENVER, June 9, 2016 – Civic Center Station, one of the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) busiest regional bus transit centers, will be closing for renovation beginning on Sunday, July 3. The closure will last approximately twelve months.

Once completed, the renovated Civic Center Station will be a state-of-the-art transit hub to complement Union Station and will provide improved connections and convenience for RTD passengers.

Civic Center Station currently serves 18 bus routes and sees an average of 15,000 passengers daily. The station also serves as the endpoint for the 16th Street FREE MallRide and the FREE MetroRide.

The new Civic Center building design includes:

• Nine bus bays
• Glass-enclosed terminal building
• Bus concourse rebuild
• Bus ramp extension connecting Broadway to Lincoln
• Open view from 16th Street Mall to the State Capital
• Building structure that is easier to maintain and repair long-term
• More open and welcoming environment
• Land parcel preserved for future development opportunities

Plans for the Civic Center Station renovation began in 2011, with a report by Merrick & Company that surveyed the facility and made recommendations. During that process, it was determined that the cost for repairing and keeping the same design were comparable to redesigning and building a new facility.

During the closure, bus routes from Civic Center Station will be assigned temporary bus gates along Broadway and Lincoln Street.
Gates on Lincoln Street:
GATE A: 90L
GATE B: 122X, FF4
GATE C: R/RC/RX

Passengers using routes 90L, 122X, FF4, and R/RC/RX will board buses on Lincoln between 17th Avenue and Colfax Avenue.
Gates on Broadway:
GATE D: 0L, 3L, 83D, 83L, P
GATE E: 87L, 100L, 116X, CV/CS/CX, EV/ES/EX

Passengers using routes 0L, 3L, 83D, 83L, 87L, 100L, 116X, CV/CS/CX, EV/ES/EX and P will board buses on Broadway between 14th and Colfax.

Passengers on routes 16 and 16L will board Colfax Avenue between Lincoln and Broadway.
FREE MallRide shuttles will detour from the 16th Street Mall with the final stop at Broadway/Colfax and resume travel at Court. FREE MetroRide passengers will board at the existing stop at 16th Avenue and Broadway.

For more information about the project and to sign up to receive construction updates, visit www.rtd-denver.com/civiccenter.

About RTD
RTD’s mission is to provide safe, clean, reliable, courteous, accessible and cost-effective bus and rail services in the eight-county district, and fulfills 100 million passenger trips annually. The public transit agency is creating a larger, better and more accessible system through innovation, public-private partnerships and transit-oriented communities.

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Celebrate Colorado Aviation Week and General Aviation Appreciation Month in June

Colorado Aviation Week (CAW) is dedicated to raising funds to benefit Colorado Aviation Business Association's (CABA) Foundation Scholarship Program and Centennial Airport Foundation. Signature Flight Support and CABA also use proceeds to donate to one or two local charitable organizations to share their good fortune.

Over the past nine years, Signature Flight Support and CABA have raised over $220,000 for various charities. Currently, the golf tournament raises approximately $60,000 annually.  

Recently, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, proclaimed June 2016 as GENERAL AVIATION APPRECIATION MONTH.

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CABA invites our members to join in celebrating this proclamation with a week long of events.

Aviation Career Day
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
9:00 am - 4:00 pm  
Signature Flight Support
8001 S InterPort Blvd
Englewood, CO80112

• We invite young people to experience the excitement and discovery of aviation  
• This day event is designed for ages 15 and up
• It's a day of hands-on aviation and science projects, challenging activities, airport tours, exploring different career opportunities, and other aviation experiences

Free Admission

For more Future Aviators Day information, please click here

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Golf Tournament Kick-Off Reception  
Wednesday June 15, 2016
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm  
Signature Flight Support
8001 S InterPort Blvd
Englewood, CO80112

• HondaJet Static Display
• Carnita's Buffet
• Beer & Wine
• Golf Simulator
• Music - DJ
• Live Auction

Free Admission

For more Golf Tournament Kick Off Event information, please click here

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10th Annual Signature | CABA Charity Golf Tournament  

Thursday, June 16, 2016
Black Bear Golf Club  
11400 Canterberry Parkway
Parker, CO 80138

Sign-In 7:00am     
Shotgun Start (Scramble) 8:00 am  

For more 10th Annual Golf Tournament information, please click here

Colorado Tourism Office to Conduct Statewide Input Sessions to Create Colorado Tourism Roadmap

DENVER - Thurs., May 26, 2016 - The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) will host eight public input sessions in cities, mountain towns and the plains in the coming weeks to gain insight into opportunities to maximize the benefit of tourism for communities throughout Colorado. 

These sessions are the starting point for an eight-month project to develop the Colorado Tourism Roadmap, a statewide strategic plan for Colorado's tourism industry. Anyone with a stake in the future of Colorado tourism, including community leaders and elected officials, is invited to attend and participate in the facilitated discussions. 

"This is a chance for Coloradans across the state to share their voices on how to maximize the benefit of one of the most important industries in Colorado," said Cathy Ritter, director of the CTO. "We hope participants will bring their thoughts about challenges that need to be addressed as well as opportunities to drive even more long-term benefits for our state." 

The three-hour input sessions will be led by Mitch Nichols, president of Nichols Tourism Group of Bellingham, WA, which is leading the development of the strategic roadmap aimed at maximizing Colorado's tourism potential. Nichols is leading a consulting team that also includes the Radcliffe Company of Spokane, WA and the National Laboratory of Tourism and e-Commerce, based at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Findings from the public input sessions will be used to develop a State of the Industry Report, which will be shared at Colorado's Governor's Tourism Conference, Sept. 14-16 in Breckenridge. Following the conference, the consultants will develop draft recommendations for a strategic plan that will be shared in a subsequent round of public sessions in a different set of Colorado communities. Throughout the roadmap process, the CTO will be seeking public input through http://industry.colorado.com.

The eight stops for the first round of input sessions: 
* 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1 at Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs
* 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, June 2 at the Koshare Museum and Trading Post in La Junta
* 8 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8 at The Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs
* 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8 at location TBD in Silverthorne
* 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 9 at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley
* 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 10 at the History Colorado Center in Denver
* 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29 at location TBD in Telluride
* 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, June 30 at location TBD in Alamosa

In 2014, Colorado set all-time records welcoming 71.3 million visitors to the state who spent $18.6 billion and generated $1.1 billion in tax revenue. 

For the most up-to-date information and details about the public input sessions, please visit http://industry.colorado.com.

# # # 

Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper

Office of Economic Development
& International Trade

Holly Shrewsbury, 303-892-3847
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
Carly Holbrook, 720-289-9366
[email protected]

Business Roundtable Chairman Doug Oberhelman Welcomes Young Presidents’ Organization

The first week of May, the president of CAP Logistics, Kevin Kersting, had the opportunity to meet with Doug Oberhelman, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc. Oberhelman welcomed Kersting and other members of the Young Presidents’ Organization to the company’s headquarters in Peoria, Illinois.

Oberhelman, who also serves as chairman of Business Roundtable, discussed the economy and the wide variety of industries served by both Caterpillar Inc. and Kersting’s CAP Logistics, such as construction, energy, manufacturing and mining. Caterpillar Inc. is able to build the world’s infrastructure and enable progress for millions of people across the globe, as they say at Caterpillar.com, thanks to Team Caterpillar which is comprised of its employees as well as Cat dealers and Cat suppliers.

Kersting was able to identify with the solidarity created by this network of team members in two ways. His company, CAP Logistics, provides customized transportation solutions to customers anywhere, anytime, in the United States and Canada, thanks to a similar culture of team membership across its nationwide network of offices and agents. Additionally, many of the customers served by CAP Logistics use, sell or supply Caterpillar Inc. products, and this experience helps to further the sense of commitment between the two companies.

YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) is the world’s premier peer network of chief executives and business leaders. Founded in 1950, YPO today provides 24,000 peers and their families in more than 130 countries with access to unique educational and networking experiences designed to support their business, community and personal leadership. Kersting has been a member since 2015.

Doug Oberhelman, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc. and Chair of Business Roundtable welcomed members of the Young Presidents’ Organization, including CAP Logistics President Kevin Kersting, to the company’s headquarters in Peoria, Illinois. 

Tip Sheet for Infrastructure Week 2016 (May 16-23)

WELCOME TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK TIPSHEET from http://infrastructureweek.org
 
60 events. 150 organizations. Thousands of participants. One week to tell America how #InfrastructureMatters.
 
Infrastructure Week is just around the corner, kicking off next Monday, May 16, and running through an entire jam-packed week of events. We wanted to send this exclusive pre-week tipsheet as an introduction to all of the great events, studies, news stories, social media engagement opportunities, and more that will be a part of Infrastructure Week 2016.
 
This year’s theme for the week is Infrastructure Matters. We believe, it matters to our public health and safety, to our communities, to our economy... essentially, to everything. Infrastructure is the nerve system that keeps our country moving. Infrastructure is responsible for keeping everything from water, to electricity, to goods, flowing from one point to another. When it works well, it keeps us safe and healthy, and our economy strong. But as we’ve seen in too many catastrophes in this country, when infrastructure is neglected, it can put people in danger, it dampens our economy, it leaves our roads and skies congested, and it means we fall behind our international competitors.
 
That’s why we’re spreading the message that Infrastructure Matters through the halls of Congress, across the nation’s capital, and across the country from coast to coast next week. Nearly 150 organizations have signed up to be a part of Infrastructure Week, and together they are planning more than 60 events. As in past years, Infrastructure Week is led by our diverse steering committee of leading national organizations: the AFL-CIO, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Building America’s Future, Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Value of Water Coalition.
 
KICKOFF ON MONDAY
REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND!
Or, view the live webcast!
On Monday, May 16 we’ll kick off at the US Chamber of Commerce with an all-star line up, including: Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security; Victor Mendez, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Tom Donohue, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO; Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO President; Michael Ducker, FedEX Freight President and CEO and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chairman; Mayor David Condon (Spokane, WA); Mayor Sly James (Kansas City, MO); Mayor Stephanie Miner (Syracuse, NY); Paul Misener, Amazon.com VP Global Innovation Policy; Ray LaHood, Former Secretary of Transportation (Obama Admin); Mary Peters, Former Secretary of Transportation (W. Bush Admin); Rodney Slater, Former Secretary of Transportation (Clinton Admin); James Burnley, Former Secretary of Transportation (Reagan Admin), and many more! Seating is limited, but a few spots are still available if you’d like to attend the event. Register here today!
 
IN THE NEWS
The nation's subways are falling apart, but the next president might actually fix them -- “Groups from the left and right, led by the AFL-CIO and the Chamber of Commerce, are gathering this month in Washington to press Congress for infrastructure spending at all levels, including roads, bridges and water pipes that have gained urgent attention after dangerous levels of lead leached into the drinking water in Flint, Mich. While few expect to get an infusion of cash this year, they are hoping to lay the groundwork for next year, when a new president often gets a brief window of cooperation with Congress to pass spending bills.” -- LA TIMES, 5/9/16
 
America's infrastructure $1.44 trln short through 2025 -report -- “America will fall $1.44 trillion short of what it needs to spend on infrastructure through the next decade, a gap that could strip 2.5 million jobs and $4 trillion of gross domestic product from the economy, a report showed on Tuesday. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimates that through 2025, the United States has funded only about 56 percent of its needed infrastructure spending.”  -- Reuters, 5/10/16
 
#INFRASTRUCTUREMATTERS - TAKE ACTION!
Whether you can join us in real life next week or not, please be a part of the online Infrastructure Week conversation! Last year, social media about infrastructure issues reached millions of Americans during I Week, amplifying our message well beyond the rooms where our events happen. We want to make sure we’re as successful this year! Here are five ways to join us:

1. Be part of our Thunderclap: ow.ly/4n6K9Q Start off I-Week with a big bang of social media attention! Help us reach our goal of having 250 organizations all share the same message on social media simultaneously, at 11 am ET on Monday, May 16!
2. Follow us on Twitter, @InfraWeek
3. Use #InfrastructureMatters before and during Infrastructure Week
4. Use the tweets we’ve drafted and graphics we’ve created for you, easily downloaded here.
5. Write to your elected leaders using our online Take Action platform! Write one letter that will automatically be sent to your national, state, and local leaders!

 
A LOOK AHEAD AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK CALENDAR
With such a diverse group of affiliates hosting events across the country, there is a plethora of opportunities to attend events in person or online, wherever you are, next week. Here are just a few highlights from the calendar. See the full list of events here.
 

Monday

Our kickoff, of course: LIVE WEBCAST!

Washington, D.C.: At 1:00 pm, the Bipartisan Policy Center Executive Council on Infrastructure is hosting Bridging the Gap Together: A New Model to Modernize U.S. Infrastructure. Register here.

Washington, D.C.: Eno Technology is presenting: Cheaper, Safer, Faster: How Disruptive Technologies are Changing How We Build and Operate Infrastructure at the House T&I Committee hearing room in Rayburn at 3:00 pm.

Tuesday
Tampa, FL: Building America’s Future and HNTB are hosting an event on technology for the next era of streets and automobiles, How Tampa is Driving the Future of Transportation.
Camden, NJ: American Water and the City of Camden will announce a major milestone in a public-private partnership to improve water and wastewater services, and provide workforce training and skill development in the community. The Mayor of Camden will join this event.
 
Wednesday
Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. and around America! Even if you can’t make it to Capitol Hill, write to your delegation!
Washington, DC: Hill briefing and press conference with Gov. Ed Rendell, I Week’s Congressional Co-Chairs Senators Capito and Cardin and Representatives Graves and Maloney, labor and business leaders, and a presentation from American Society of Civil Engineers on the infrastructure investment gap. Register here.
Also, join us for the most fun part of Infrastructure Week - our reception! The widely held event will be from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm, The Flying Bridge - 444 North Capitol St NW. The reception is co-hosted by Infrastructure Week and Value of Water Coalition, because without water, there would be no ice, no beer, no wine, and no receptions. Register to join us here.  
 
Thursday
Washington, D.C.: Our marquee event for Thursday, Bloomberg Government and Siemens host “The Future of Cities,” taking a deeper dive into how an increasingly urban America will be driven by new technologies, policies, and investments across transportation, energy, water, and more! Featured speakers include former governor and presidential candidate Martin O’Malley!
Cleveland, OH: As part of the Value of Water Coalition's “Local Innovators Tour” the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will lead a tour of green infrastructure in Cleveland.
On the phone: APTA will host a nationwide press conference call on the Current State of the Nation’s Aging Public Transportation Infrastructure.
 
Friday
Washington, D.C.: Want to keep talking tech? Join the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation for a look at the digital infrastructure systems that will define the U.S. economy in the future! More info here.
Juneau, AK: When we said Infrastructure Week was nationwide, we weren’t kidding. ASCE is hosting a port tour and new cruise ship dock celebration in Juneau, Alaska!
 

And the Following Monday...

Washington, D.C.: At 3:00 pm in the Congressional Visitors Center, Airports Council International - North America is presenting Beyond the Runway Coalition: Airport Finance – A Free Market Approach, and Airports as Economics Engines.

Evanston, IL: Mobility 2050: A Vision for Transportation Infrastructure and How We Can Get There will be presented by Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Northwestern University.

 
TALKING ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE...
"It is just one more example of the under-investments that have been made. The D.C. Metro historically has been a great strength of this region. But over time, we under-invested in maintenance and repair,” said President Obama, last week regarding the recent problems plaguing Washington’s Metro system.
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Infrastructure Week would not be possible without the generous support of members of our Steering Committee, and our 2016 sponsors: Autodesk, The Business Roundtable, HNTB, Siemens, WSP-Parsons Brinckerhoff.
 
Infrastructure Week is a national week of events; media coverage; and education and advocacy efforts to elevate infrastructure as a critical issue impacting all Americans. Learn more at http://infrastructureweek.org

Copyright © 2016 Infrastructure Week, All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
Infrastructure Week
1101 K St. NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
 

Adams County Microloan Fund Receives $1M to Spur Small Business Growth

ADAMS COUNTY, CO (April 20, 2016) - The Adams County Board of Commissioners, Adams County Economic Development (ACED), Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) and the North Metro Small Business Development Center have partnered to create the Adams County Microloan Fund with starting capital of $1 million, the largest in the metro area. This program provides Adams County’s small businesses access to capital for those who have difficulty obtaining financing from traditional sources but are capable of repaying debt.  

“Small businesses in Adams County have been the catalyst for landing the county among national leaders in job growth and new job creation,” said Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio. “We’re excited to support this new program to expand the options for small businesses that might have challenges working through the traditional loan process.”

The Colorado Enterprise Fund matched Adams County’s non-federally funded contribution of $500,000 creating the initial program value of $1 million. Qualifying businesses can apply for loan amounts up to $50,000 maximum for five (5) years. Loan applications will be reviewed by a committee of bank and financial professionals organized by ACED and approved or denied following CEF’s standard procedures and processes.

“This is one of many steps we are taking to grow Adams County’s economy,” said Barry Gore, President/CEO of ACED. “Access creates opportunities.  More financing opportunities for our local business community will promote growth, jobs, and support entrepreneurship!”  

Businesses can apply directly to the Colorado Enterprise Fund or be referred by Adams County Economic Development members, banks, or from the Small Business Development Center.

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Media Contact: 
Erin Beckstein
Director, Marketing & Communications
[email protected]
www.AdamsCountyED.com