Jefferson Economic Council Works To Keep Area Businesses Competitive
Published Jan 06, 2009
Proterra Chief Executive Officer Dale Hill says the Jefferson Economic Council has helped in many ways as the company builds its business of manufacturing hybrid and electric buses, including a 35-foot-long model that will go on the market in 2009.
When it comes to business success in Jefferson County, the sky is literally the limit. And while that’s due in no small part to the area’s diverse economy and solid workforce, the Jefferson Economic Council plays a vital role in attracting – and keeping – businesses in the area.
From a big-picture perspective, the county is a hotbed of entrepreneurism, and that drills down into many different industries. Because each company has its own set of needs and operational arrangements, the council tailors its services to fit, says Michelle Claymore, vice president.
“A lot of companies start up and grow in Jefferson County,” Claymore says. “And a lot of our partners, like Lockheed Martin, have been here a long time. We try to be helpful where we can be, to solve problems, to provide advice – whatever it takes to help nurture these companies to be successful.”
Aiding the Space Race
When Lockheed Martin needed to expand, JEC was able to pinpoint some appropriate office space, as well as facilitate an incentive package to help the company bring down operating costs. This was key for Lockheed Martin’s successful bid on the Orion project to build NASA’s crew exploration vehicle. In May 2008, NASA awarded the company the GPS III satellite contract as well.
“Those are both huge, long-term contracts, and our helping them bring down their costs played a role,” Claymore says. “We also helped them work with [The Boeing Co.] when the two were forming the United Launch Alliance here.” (See story, page 22.) That particular combination came about when the two aerospace giants decided to bid as a consortium rather than as competitors. JEC worked with Alliance personnel and put out a relocation guide in partnership with South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce.
“There was a great collaboration among the Denver metro area chambers and [economic development organizations] to provide information and assistance to the United Launch Alliance,” says Chris Chavez, the Alliance’s senior manager of communications. “JEC was instrumental in helping relocated ULA employees receive in-state tuition benefits for their dependents.”
Local Companies Benefit
Homegrown companies need assistance as well, such as when they’re launching a rebranding campaign. That was the case with Mobile Energy Solutions LLC, which changed its name to Proterra, or “for the earth,” in June 2008. The company manufactures hybrid and all-electric, all-composite shuttle buses and other vehicles, including the EcoMark 1 model used on Denver’s 16th Street Mall.
Founded in 2004, Golden-based Proterra has long been taking advantage of JEC’s services, says Dale Hill, chief executive officer.
“They helped me get the financing for our building, which for a startup company is a real challenge, and they helped us get a state grant by introducing us to political figures in the area,” Hill says. “They featured us in some promotional videos, one of which was shown on Frontier Airlines, which was helpful. Whenever we’ve needed something that was within their realm of access, they’ve been very responsive.”
Another company that has benefited from JEC programs is Infinite Power Solutions Inc., launched in South Jeffco by a group of former Lockheed Martin aerospace engineers.
“We assisted with some business referrals, and when they were ready to commercialize their operations, we facilitated county incentives to help rebate some of their investment,” JEC’s Claymore says.
Matching available products and services to companies, both new and old, is a daily challenge, says Preston Gibson, JEC president and chief executive officer.
“We find out what their issues are, then look at what’s in our toolbox that will help,” Gibson says. “It’s anything from hiring people for their staff to finding them office space or a manufacturing facility. We also spend a lot of time trying to find incentives to get business to locate here or to stay here. It’s always different.”
Story by Joe Morris
Photo by J. kyle keener
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