Business Owners Optimistic About Commerce City for 2011 and 2012

More than 100 members of the business community participated in the City’s second annual Business and Development Summit, held Friday, Feb. 11, at the Civic Center.

The summit reinforced the notion that city relations with local businesses continue to be on the upswing. In a survey of local businesses at the 2010 Business and Development Summit, 49 percent of respondents said they felt the city was unfriendly to businesses. This year, however, only 29 percent of those surveyed said the city was unfriendly to businesses. Many indicated the city was doing a good job of listening to, and communicating with, businesses, as well as creating incentives to lure and secure private investment.

“The input the city receives from local business leaders is extremely valuable because you’re on the front lines of our economic development efforts,” City Manager Jerry Flannery told the gathering of business leaders. “Our success as a city is highly dependent on your success as local businesses and we are hopeful 2011 brings with it a better economy.”

The survey results showed a general optimism about 2011 and 2012, with the majority expressing improvement in their overall business and development in the coming year.

More than 60 percent of businesses plan on hiring staff within the next year, an increase of more than 35 percent from last year’s survey. Approximately 52 percent plan to implement capital improvements this year – more than double last year.

Attendees cited the need for further collaboration with each other to support local businesses, while acknowledging plans for new business development in the coming year.

“Last year’s inaugural summit resulted in tangible improvements to our city’s economic development program,” added Flannery. “For example, the suggestion to create a business advancement taskforce, comprised of local businesses, created a nationally recognized incentive program that brought more than 400 jobs to the city during a six-month time period.”

The private sector brought many ideas to the table to advance economic growth in Commerce City. The top priorities identified by the business leaders for City Council and staff consideration include:
• An online resource for Commerce City businesses to obtain information on other businesses in the city and post jobs;
• Business outreach and promotion of existing businesses to the community and new businesses;
• Consideration of roadway medians and the impact they have on businesses, particularly if they make it difficult to access the business.

This year, businesses also are advocating for tax and fee incentives, access to small-business loans and speedier city processes. Businesses also support the idea of strengthening the local Business and Professionals Association.

In the coming months, the city will refine the division’s strategic plan using this feedback, with several initiatives including:
• Form the Economic Development Business and Citizen Advisory Committees.
• Host the 2011 customer service summit.
• Evaluate the incentive program and provide recommendations for council consideration in June 2 011.

“Thank you to the 1,300 businesses within the city for a wonderful year,” said Brittany Morris, economic development director. “Information from the summit allows us to support the private sector and seek opportunities to improve on the services Commerce City delivers.”