Grand Junction

The Mesa County Economic Development Partners, composed of 20 local organizations, began drafting our county’s economic development plan several weeks ago. Through this process we solicited input from our local business community. We were impressed with that process and the ideas that came forth. Once again we are looking to the business community for input as we take the three top goals from our plan and add action steps. If you haven’t had a chance to view Mesa County’s economic development plan, you can find it here.

We will meet tomorrow, July 29, 2011 to discuss the first goal in the plan: Become an Epicenter for Energy Innovation. Please join us for a two hour session to share your thoughts and ideas as we all work toward this goal. The meeting will take at Colorado Mesa University in the Ballroom of the College Center from 7:30-9:30 AM.

Thank you for helping us shape the economic future of Mesa County!

While we were working hard and minding our own business yesterday morning, our neighbor poked her head in and told us we had to see the swarm outside. Swarm? That got my attention, I figured I would have been able to hear and/or see the swarm from the safe confines of my office. Swarm? Hive? I am not sure, but it was huge!

Maybe it is more of a hive. But it was incredible.

Someone recognized these babies as honey bees and being aware of the “honey bee crisis” we decided to contact the CSU-Extension office and see what their advice was. They were thrilled that we called and were out in a matter of minutes to collect the bees.

Many of the bystanders were braver than I, but we all learned a lot about honeybees and what they were doing on the side of our building. I, personally, kept a pretty safe distance:

I think we were all happy with the decision to rescue the bees rather than just ignoring them while vowing to never walk in the alley again.

To me the bees were an interesting sign – a swarm of activity. That has to be good. I hope all my prospects get the message, it is pretty sweet in Grand Junction!

The Western Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association is holding it’s 31st Annual Golf Tournament in Grand Junction today. Please be sure to grab a cold one from your friendly GJEP beverage cart!

It is with great regret that I inform you faithful blog readers that the Grand Junction Economic Partnership’s Executive Committee has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Ann Driggers from her position as President and CEO. Ann has been with GJEP over ten years and under her leadership the organization has seen many significant accomplishments including the creation of over 750 new jobs and new capital investment of $75m with a total economic impact of $300m. Ann has also developed and implemented an innovative and effective marketing program, recently recognized as being at the forefront of the economic development profession. She leaves the organization in sound financial shape. It goes without saying that Ann’s departure will be a tremendous loss to both the organization and the community.

Regarding her announcement, Ann says, “It was a difficult decision for me to make, but after ten successful years at GJEP I feel the best way for me to grow professionally and personally is to seek new challenges and opportunities. After much consideration and deliberation with my family, I felt this was the best time both for myself and the organization as it continues to position the community for economic growth.”

The Board of Directors is as committed as ever to continuing the important work of economic development, broadening and strengthening the economic base for Mesa County, creating an economy that is strong, healthy and stable for our children and future endeavors. Prior to embarking on a national search for a replacement CEO, the Board will devise an interim transition plan. In the meantime GJEP staff will continue to execute its strategic priorities and initiatives working diligently to create quality jobs in Mesa County through business attraction and expansion.

Your continued support enables GJEP to continue to shape the kind of community of which we can all be proud- not just today, but for years to come.

And, of course, best wishes to Ann Driggers as she begins a new chapter.

The holiday season provides so much.  In addition to delicious food, fun parties and spending time with family, the holidays give us all the opportunity to reflect on the activities of the past year and plan for what is next.  Like many in our community, GJEP has so much to be thankful for; and here are but a few examples:

• Wonderful, generous investors that are supportive of economic development efforts
• Clients with exciting and innovative ideas
• Economic Development partners throughout the community, state and nation without which we would be far less effective
• All of those people who believe in the important work we do and help promote Mesa County as a wonderful place to live and work
• John Hendricks for providing our community with an inspiring speech when we truly needed it
• All businesses creating jobs and improving our local economy – with a special shout out to GJEP assists who have added jobs in spades this year
• GJEP leadership which is strong and operates with foresight – providing long term direction to the organization
• Living in a place where we can collaborate with each other to achieve true greatness

This week we hosted our 2010 Annual Meeting, and if I do say so myself, it was a HUGE success.  In fact, I am trying to pull myself down from the clouds.  We had record attendance, the room was beautiful and people seemed to truly enjoy themselves.

GJEP ANNUAL MEETING CROWD

GJEP TABLE

MIKE STAHL, CHAIR, GJEP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOHN WILLIAMS, GJEP BOARD MEMBER

Providing a great keynote speaker is one of the most important aspects of our meeting and finding someone who can inspire a large crowd in the present economy was very important to us.

All of our expectations were exceeded with this year’s speaker; none other than John Hendricks, Founder of Discovery Communications.

JOHN HENDRICKS, FOUNDER, DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

Mr. Hendricks shared his plans for a new series with us that will explore curiosity and showcase Western Colorado and Mesa County in particular. This exciting message was followed up with the announcement that new “Curiosity Retreats” will take place at Gateway Canyons Resort (also in Mesa County, Colorado).

From an economic development standpoint, this is huge news! This is going to put our community on the map in a way that hasn’t been done before. These endeavors promise to show Mesa County to the world, and promote our area as a place to truly nourish the body and mind in a beautiful environment.

Mr. Hendricks further inspired his audience by describing his path to success and reminding us that entrepreneurship is the key to economic growth. He asked our local business and community leaders to define themselves and their businesses and think….what business are we really in? I looked around the room and I could see people thinking through that question and how it applied to them and their business(es).

This was my ah-ha moment, if local leaders and entrepreneurs could walk away from our meeting thinking about what business they are in, what business they want to be in…and how they can get there, our local economy is going to reap the benefits. That is economic development.

MIKE STAHL, ANN DRIGGERS, GJEP PRESIDENT & CEO, JOHN HENDRICKS

Colorado’s resource rich West Slope is a leader in the production of natural gas, the fuel widely considered to be the domestic solution and future foundation of North America’s energy portfolio on account of its abundant supply, affordability, cleanliness and reliability. However, for the most part the natural gas leaves our region and returns to us only in a form used to heat our homes. But recently local governments and one of the leading energy companies in North America have come together to provide an alternative to oil based transportation fuels for the residents of the West Slope. The partnership between Encana and the city of Grand Junction will provide a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station for both public and private use and to serve two purposes. First, the fueling station will close the gap on what is called the “missing miles” of Western Colorado. Travelers will for the first time in November of this year, be able to drive their vehicles from Denver to California and fuel up on CNG the entire way. Fueling stations in Rifle, Parachute and Glenwood Springs will also help close the gap in CNG availability. Second, local governments, transit systems, and fleet vehicles will be able to utilize CNG.

Why would they do this? What are the benefits of CNG as a transportation fuel?

According to a recent presentation by Encana the benefits of CNG are significant and include the abundant domestic supply, significant reduction in harmful emissions (research shows the fuel cycle emissions of CNG to be almost half of electricity and the cleanest of transportation fuels) and surprisingly water efficient (consuming only 3 gallons of water per 100 miles driven as compared to grain derived ethanol’s 2,800 gallons).  For more infomation about Encana and natural gas, click here.

Local government officials already have CNG trucks on order and plan on converting vehicle fleets over time. The use of CNG makes both environmental and economic sense to our community. And as one who is concerned about the sustainability of our local economy, the additional benefit of purchasing locally produced transportation fuel is very attractive. We look forward to the completion of the fueling station and hope that the use of locally produced CNG as a transportation fuel takes off in a big way.  You know, being full of gas isn’t bad at all.

GJEP is supported in part by investment from the local business community and in an effort to show our appreciation for these investments; GJEP proudly supports local business as well.  This support comes in the form of referrals, Investor Profiles on GJEP’s website (www.gjep.org), and appearances at investors’ functions.

A few weeks ago I attended the grand re-opening at the Bank of Colorado.  The Bank of Colorado has been one of GJEP’s long-standing supporters, and one of our Chairman’s Council investors.  Bank of Colorado President, Chris Launer, has participated on the GJEP Board of Directors and served as our Secretary/Treasurer as well as Chair of the Board.  The level of commitment and support is truly appreciated.

The Bank of Colorado recently remodeled their entire facility and I stopped by to check out the new digs.  Let me tell you, they look GOOD!  Sun King Management (another GJEP investor) did a great job and the new look is very hip, modern, and classy.  I was impressed by how many Grand Valley folks braved the wet weather and attended the event, and especially proud of the many GJEP investors who were represented.  

Some photos from the event:

The availability of natural resources in energy-rich Western Colorado has and will continue to play a significant role in our regional economy in many ways: creating jobs, growing business, and providing revenues to State and local governments. To learn more about the direction of the industry and what role Western Colorado will play in the nation’s growing energy demands, as well as how GJEP might capitalize on opportunities, I attended the Rocky Mountain Energy Epicenter Conference in Denver earlier this month.

A number of thought-provoking speeches from a diverse group such as the Colorado gubneratorial candidates: Hickenlooper, Maes and McInnis, Senators Orrin Hatch and Timothy Wirth, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. provided for lively discussion. While coming from many different viewpoints, all agreed that natural gas will play an important role in meeting the nation’s future energy demands, “a lynchpin for a new energy economy” as described by Senator Wirth and “a game-changer with regards to energy security, climate change and jobs” according to Greg Staple of the American Clean Skies Foundation.

Videos of the keynote speeches on the conference are available at http://www.energyepicenter.org/ and well worth a watch.

What a difference a few months can make.  While the recession is not entirely behind us, indications of better times are becoming more commonplace.  The Grand Junction area is seeing several ground breakings, significant construction projects and grand openings. 

I thought it would be fun to chronicle some of the larger construction projects around town.

As locals know, the first phase of the Downtown Uplift is complete and I for one, think it has turned out beautifully!

Downtown Uplift Phase 1

The 24 Road City Market project is cruising right along and I am super excited for the rumored fancy cheese counter!

If you head west out of town you can see two large projects:

Grand Valley Power

Ute Water Conservancy District

There are several other large scale construction projects taking place throughout the community including the $11 million National Guard Readiness Center and the $19.3 million 29 Road project.  And as always, there are plenty of road and bridge projects as well.  Although negotiating the “orange cone zone” can be maddening, this activity is good for our community.  I promise myself I will try harder to remember that this construction season.