COMMERCE CITY – The City of Commerce City hosted its first “Business and Development Summit” on Jan. 19 for community business owners, land developers and potential investors. City Manager Jerry Flannery and economic development staff gave no formal presentation – the meeting was an open forum and a time for business owners to speak their mind about doing business in Commerce City . The city plans to develop a Business Advancement Taskforce and has committed to address business concerns and incentive issues quickly and thoroughly, following the Business and Development Summit.The meeting focused primarily on gathering feedback about specific topics such as:
- Current factors that promote or prohibit business success, growth and expansion in Commerce City
- Types of improvements and/ or incentives businesses would like to see Commerce City implement to cultivate business and development growth
“Today’s Business and Development Summit is a launch-pad for what will become a collaborative process to develop and sustain a healthy business culture in Commerce City . We value your business. We want your business to grow and we want new businesses to see great value in Commerce City ,” says City Manager Jerry Flannery. “This is your time to talk and our time to listen.”
Nearly 90 business people attended the Business and Development Summit that took place at the Commerce City Civic Center . Prior to the meeting, Commerce City businesses received invitations and were asked to complete an online survey about the current business climate in the city. Almost 90 people responded to the survey, which helped staff prepare for the Business and Development Summit.
Common themes were voiced throughout the survey and business summit, including what business people think city staff has done well for business and development in Commerce City :
- Economic development and planning
- Improved image
- Derby redevelopment
- Easy access to city staff and administrators
- Infrastructure improvements
- Business outreach
Common themes regarding improvements Commerce City could make to enhance business and development opportunities included:
- Improve sales and use tax policy
- Provide better incentives
- Streamline building and development permit process
- Offer building cost assistance
- Promote available commercial, industrial and retail land
- Invest further in Derby improvements
- Continue business summits
The city has vested interest in collaborating with current Commerce City businesses and potential developers and investors. City Manager Flannery asked summit attendees to volunteer and help recruit members for a Business Advancement Taskforce. The taskforce will meet regularly with city staff and work toward developing and implementing business and economic development opportunities within the city.
For more information about the Business Advancement Taskforce or about economic development in Commerce City , visit www.c3gov.com or contact Commerce City at (303) 289-3600.
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