We brag about our region all the time (seriously, look at the great economic news we got this week), and no matter the topic, we can’t point to a single person, industry or sector that gets all the credit for the successes we’ve experienced. But hey, that’s the best part of the story.
In fact, some of the ways we’ve come together have put the Denver metro area on the map, and leaders from around the country and the world look to us for how to collaborate. Here are four examples of how we’re ahead of the pack because we work together:
Arts and culture funding. When it comes to supporting the arts, people come to us to see how it’s done. That’s because for over 25 years we’ve supported cultural and scientific organizations through a penny-on-$10 sales tax that provides $47 million in operational funding to 280 organizations in the seven-county Denver metro area through our Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. The sales tax is up for renewal in 2016. We’re profiling our arts and culture scene and industry in our summer issue of Business Altitude, which comes out tomorrow, so be sure to check your inbox!
Commuting across the region. Our 122-mile regional commuter project FasTracks is the largest voter-approved transit expansion program in the country. New lines have already opened and we’re all excitedly anticipating next year’s opening of the A Line that will get locals and visitors alike to Denver International Airport, as well as three other commuter rail lines.
Planning for smart development. And speaking of our airport, our cities and counties have come together to update their original agreement with a more collaborative solution that will help spur development of “Airport City.” These jurisdictions surrounding DIA are creating a powerful new vision of what development in this area can really look like.
Growing an industry. Our bioscience industry is growing and there’s no question that some of that success is due to the work of public and private partners in the Fitzsimmons Life Science District and Anschutz Medical Campus—578 acres devoted to education, research and business growth of this vital sector.
These topics are just what we intend to talk more about at our annual State of the City luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Click here to reserve your seat today so that you don’t miss hearing from those leading the charge in these areas: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Chancellor Don M. Elliman, Jr., former Denver Art Museum president and former owner of McClain Finlon Advertising Cathey Finlon, Adams County Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco and Arvada Mayor Mark Williams—as well as a keynote from Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
We know that collaboration doesn’t always come easily, but our region is proof that it is well worth the effort.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.