1. Using Regionalism to help drive economic development
EDCC Regional Economic Development Forum
March 12, 2019

3. Where is Commerce City?

4. Commerce City--A community in metropolitan Denver, Colorado

5. REGIONALISM IN THE 1800s: East vs. West

6. Regionalism: The common objectives, values and identifies that lead to region-formation and regional cooperation within a geographical area (micro or macro-region).

7. Regionalism in the 1970s here
Community A
Community B
Regionalism + =

8. REGIONALISM = WORKING TOGETHER
DENVER
MOUNTAINS

9. REGIONAL initiatives-what are the possibilities…..
Affordable Housing
Broadband
Economic Diversification
Foreign Direct Investment
Healthcare
Infrastructure and Roadways
Marketing
Tourism
Workforce Development

10. REGIONALISM IN METRO DENVER

12. “The Train that Saved Denver”

13. THE HIGHWAY BOOM AFTER WWII

14. The “Brown Cloud” Visits Denver in the 1970s

15. The Denver Economy: You Can’t Fall Off the Floor
(1984 Headline)

16. My Story…

18. The Metro Denver Story Quotes from History
“Come to where the business climate is warm and pleasant – Adams County.”
Boulder County Business Report, 1984
“I just want to steal all of Denver’s retail sales.” Aurora Mayor, Dennis Champine, 1986, when asked why he built the Aurora Mall just a few miles from the Denver border.
The Metro Denver Story
Quotes from History
1987--Metro Denver Code of Ethics created

19. Tips for successful regional collaborations
Collaboration and trust between party lines is crucial.
Don’t reinvent the wheel—copy others’ ideas.
Define clearly who does what and who pays for what.
Define clearly what success looks like.
Over communicate.
Constructively manage conflict.
Celebrate successes together.

20. REGIONALISM - COMMERCE CITY
1A vote
Aerotropolis Regional Committee
Tower Rd-Pena Ramp and Widening Projects

21. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

22. DEN Development Agreement
City and County of Denver and Adams County reached an agreement to amend the 1988 IGA. Voters approve Measure 1A in 2015.
Key components of the agreement
DEN will develop up to 1,500 acres
DEN will provide a $10 million up front payment to Adams County communities
DEN will share revenue 50/50 based on the 1,500 acre development area

23. Aerotropolis Regional Committee (ARC) Project Phases
PHASE I
PHASE II
PHASE III
Competitive analysis, target market and
roadmap development
Branding, marketing and PR strategy
Platform development and promotional execution + + + + +
BUILD
DISCOVER
FORMULATE
FORMULATE
CREATE
LAUNCH
MEASURE