In 2011, Castle Rock, CO established the largest fund in Colorado to attract new businesses and expand or preserve current ones. Here is the verbiage from the website of The Castle Rock Economic Development Council (303-688-7488).
“…a $5 million Economic Fund to be used to bring desired primary employers and retailers to Castle Rock…
The framework includes incentives for new primary employers (a primary employer is one in which a minimum of 50 percent of goods and services must be exported outside of Douglas County) to create jobs in Castle Rock. The framework also offers primary employers assistance with capital needs and fee relief. Existing primary employers in Castle Rock also could benefit from the fund if they want to expand by adding employees or space and equipment. Incentives also will be available for desired retail, target industries and projects of significance such as higher education, hospitals and others. The policy will remain flexible so that incentives can be designed to best fit the needs of the prospective business.”
The Castle Rock EDC is a nonprofit that helps new and expanding businesses in Castle Rock to get a foot up in an economic environment that can be difficult for small companies. By providing ventures with information about available resources and demographics and giving them access to their listing of commercial real estate, the Castle Rock EDC strives to sustain the local businesses that are at the heart of the unique Castle Rock Community.
Since 2011, Castle Rock EDC has helped to stimulate Castle Rock business development, creating new jobs for residents, and giving businesses owners the resources and confidence they need to thrive.
Castle Rock Business Development in 2014
The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Annual Report details how Castle Rock continues to grow. Here are a few of the highlights from the report:
- The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce had 48 new members in 2014, a 6% increase over 2013.
- Money magazine ranked Castle Rock the #4 best place to live in America.
- Nerdwallet ranked Castle Rock the #9 best place to raise a young family.
- Castle Rock Economic Gardeners assisted 266 businesses in 2014.
- 23% of the Chamber of Commerce’s budget went to small business assistance.
Douglas County continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the country in terms of economic and population growth. Castle Rock is a prime location for employers in a number of different sectors including:
- Manufacturing—like ACME Brick and Sunset Stone.
- Recreation—like Plum Creek Golf and Country Club and Red Hawk Ridge Golf.
- Retail—like the Outlets at Castle Rock and Rockyard American Grill & Brewing Co.
- Technology—like Digital Globe Services and Neo Treks.
- and more!
Residents of Castle Rock tend to spend 175% to 200% of the national average, which gives businesses a great chance to grow. The biggest spending is in:
- entertainment/recreation,
- financial investments,
- home expenses,
- household textiles, furniture, and floor coverings,
- child care, and
- travel.
Let’s all move forward with a great year of prosperity in 2015!
Thank you,
Jim Garcia