Water Valley named top retirement neighborhood

Where to Retire magazine recently selected the Water Valley subdivision as a “Best Neighborhood.” The subdivision is featured in the September/October issue of the magazine. Lakes, championship golf courses, a variety of housing options and the recent opening of The Good Samaritan Society Senior Living Resort all contributed to the selection of Water Valley. The Good Samaritan Society Senior Living Resort offers residents apartments with meal services and housekeeping. Where to Retire magazine is published six times a year and has a national circulation of 220,000.

Source: The Windsor Beacon, “Magazine names Water Valley a top retirement neighborhood” by Beacon Staff, 7/31/2008
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/WINDSORBEACON01/807310311/1131/NEWS17

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Governments, businesses join forces for southwest Weld Economic Initiative
Business organizations and community governments in southwest Weld have joined forces to stimulate economic development in the region, according to an Upstate Colorado press release. The goal of the initiative is to stimulate primary sector job creation and bring employers to southwest Weld. “If we don’t work together, the opportunities will go elsewhere,” Mead Area Chamber of Commerce representative Karen Sekich said in the release. Upstate Colorado Economic Development, the group charged with attracting employers and economic development to Weld, is coordinating an effort that will result in an economic development initiative tailored to the southwest quadrant of the county. That region extends to Colo. 60 in the north, U.S. 85 on the east and the Weld County line on the west and south, the release stated.

Source: The Greeley Tribune, “Governments, businesses join forces for southwest Weld Economic Initiative” by Staff, pulled 8/6/2008
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080806/BUSINESS/277787691/0/blogg15&parentprofile=

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2009 goal for I-25 interchange planning
The Windsor Town Board and Fort Collins City Council have set a March 2009 deadline to have plans in place to improve the Interstate 25-Colorado Highway 392 interchange. The cities and Metro Land Acquisitions will take control of the redesign process through the CDOT 1601 process. It will cost $200,000 to go through the 1601 process, which has three phases: designing the interchange, studying the environmental impact and determining finances. Officials estimate it will cost more than $23 million to improve the interchange plus the cost of acquiring additional right-of-way.

Source: The Windsor Beacon, “2009 is goal for 1-25 interchange planning” by Ashley Keesis-Wood, 8/7/2008 

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Pending Home Sales Rise

The housing market as a measurement of pending home sales rose in June. The National Association of Realtors’ seasonally adjusted index of pending sales for existing homes rose 5.3% to 89 from May’s reading of 84.5. Lawrence Yun, the group’s chief economist, said in a statement, “With a tax credit now available to first-time home buyers, increases in home sales could be sustained with the momentum carrying into 2009.”

Source: MSNBC, “Pending home sales rise unexpectedly,” pulled 8/11/2008
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26072833/

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Northern Colorado in the Ranks
Fort Collins, Loveland rank high on Best Place to Live 2008 list

Fort Collins took the No. 2 spot on Money Magazine’s Best Place to Live 2008 report. Schools, low crime, Old Town’s microbreweries, outdoor recreation opportunities, bioscience and tech companies, and a strong healthcare system pushed Fort Collins to the top of the list.

Loveland also placed high on the list, coming in at No. 33. The report specifically highlights Loveland’s art and culture, recreational and sports amenities, reasonable housing, access to higher education, the Budweiser Event Center, and mild weather. Other Colorado cities ranked in the top 100 are Highlands Ranch (12), Westminster (44) and Longmont (50). Source: Money Magazine Website, “Best Places to Live 2008,” pulled 7/17/2008
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/NEWS01/80715002/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02
http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=17890

Greeley-Weld ranks No. 25 on business climate list

The INC.com annual list of Best U.S. Cities for Doing Business Today Based on area job growth has the Greeley/Weld Metropolitan Statistical Area as No. 25 in the country on a list of best places to do business. According to a press release from Upstate Colorado Economic Development, the Inc.com study is the latest of several recent studies that has identified the Greeley/Weld MSA as one of the country’s top economic performers. In March, Forbes Magazine identified the area as the No. 1 MSA in the country for five-year income growth. In November 2007, the Milken Institute pointed to Greeley/Weld as No. 10 in the nation for one-year job growth. Source: The Greeley Tribune, “Greeley-Weld ranks No. 25 on business climate list”, pulled 7/16/2008
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080716/NEWS/683292672/1002&parentprofile=1001

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Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation makes impact
Maury Dobbie, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp. (NCEDC), had strong numbers to report in the Greeley Tribune article “Northern Colorado helps make state economically vibrant” released July 7, 2008. In the past three and a half years, the NCEDC has helped to attract 3,048 jobs in Larimer County. That translates to:

* $210.7 million in annual payroll
* $69,113 average annual salary (76% higher than the county average)
* Expenditures between $80.4 and $91.9 million

Source: Greeley Tribune, “Northern Colorado helps make state economically vibrant” by Maury Dobbie, 7/5/2008
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080707/COLUMNISTS57/807070310/1046/BUSINESS

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Rapid growth in Weld, mountain counties
New data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that many of Colorado’s mountain and rural counties are growing faster in population than the state’s metro-area counties. Weld County saw a 33% increase in population since 2000, adding almost 61,000 residents. Eagle County saw a 22% increase in population to more than 51,000 people since 2000. Elizabeth Garner, state demographer said, “The Western Slope is growing fast compared to the Front Range — except for Weld. The area depends on a different economy than the Front Range.” Garner added that oil and gas development, second-home owners and retirees are creating jobs and pushing growth.

Source: Denver Post, "Weld, mountain counties see rapid growth" by Staff, pulled 7/9/2008
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_9833060

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Colorado No. 5 in survey of Top States for Business

CNBC released their list of Top States for Business and Colorado went from seventh to fifth place this year. The state was noted for business friendliness, quality of life, the economy, access to capitol, workforce and technology and innovation.

Source: Denver Post, “Colorado ranks No. 5 in CNBC’s survey of Top States for Business”, pulled 7/10/2008
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_9833087

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Keller Williams agents gather supplies for tornado relief
On May 22 our northern Colorado communities were shocked and humbled by the forceful tornados that ripped through Weld and Larimer counties. It takes a community banding together to recover from such destruction. Keller Williams agents from the Greeley, Fort Collins and Loveland offices gathered and delivered approximately 40 baskets of supplies for northern Colorado families in need.

If you know of families in need or have supplies that you can donate, please contact the Northern Colorado Red Cross at (800) 824-6615. Also note that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can apply for assistance by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Together we can make a difference.

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Leprino Foods Co. to build production facility in Greeley
What is new on the horizon for Greeley? The creation of hundreds of new jobs with paying wages above the Weld County average. Leprino Foods Co. selected Greeley as a new location for their cheese and whey production facility. When the final phase of construction is completed, employment figures are projected to reach 500. The facility should be fully operational by 2012 and will potentially span 870,000 square feet. Fun fact: Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella cheese. This is good news for local dairies as the proximity of the Leprino facility is likely to increase the demand for their milk production.

Source: “Leprino comes to Greeley” by Staff, The Northern Colorado Business Report, 6/13/2008
http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=94369

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Downtown Loveland as historic district
The City of Loveland has applied for their downtown area to be designated as a district on the National Register of Historical Places. The city received a State Historic Fund grant in the amount of $8,680 to cover three-quarters of the application process. Those funds will be used to hire a historian and complete the nomination process. The designation would not only pay homage to the great railroad history of the downtown area, but it could also attract more tourists to the area. Downtown quick facts: In 1877, W.A.H. Loveland built a railroad from Denver to Cheyenne, and laid tracks through what is now downtown.

Source: “City seeking designation for downtown Loveland” by Cara O’Brien, The Reporter-Herald, 6/18/2008
http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=17446

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Under Review: Rapid Transit System in Fort Collins

In an effort to combat congestion and reduce carbon emissions, the City of Fort Collins is considering the implementation of a rapid transit system. The bus system would run from the Harmony corridor to the Old Town area.

To learn more, you can visit the city website at: http://www.ci.fort-collins.co.us/mason/

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A different story for the Larimer County housing market
Over the past year newspapers have been filled with articles detailing the troubled housing market, but The Coloradoan and The Denver Post have a different story to tell for Larimer County. Recent articles highlight the stable housing market performance in Larimer County. The National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes fell in March, dropping by 2%, with prices declining on a year-over-year basis by 7.7%. In Larimer County, local sales are down but the average sales price has continued to rise. March home sales were down 12.2% but average sales prices were up 4.5%. The Denver Post focused specifically on the Fort Collins market, pointing to the proximity to Colorado State University and scenic views as key factors in stabilizing the housing market. Sources: “Larimer County’s housing market remains stronger than national trend,” by Coloradoan Staff and news services, The Coloradoan, 3/25/08; “Fort Collins bucks trend in housing,” by Christian Toto, The Denver Post, 5/11/08

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Greeley/Weld County Planning Ahead
Greeley will seek input from residents this summer when the city updates their plan for how the city should grow in the next 20 years. Weld County is also in the middle of a growth plan update. The recently released U.S. Census Bureau report shows the Greeley metro area, which covers Weld county, as the 12th fastest growing metro area in the nation from 2006 to 2007. Specifically, the area grew by 3.6% to a total of 243,750 people. Strong growth in Windsor, Johnstown and other towns in the southern part of Weld county were cited as the major contributors to the growth. Source: “Building toward the future: What will Weld County look like in 20 years? 30 years?,” by Andrew Villegas, The Greeley Tribune, 5/4/08

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Aims purchases land for Windsor campus
Aims Community College purchased a 7-acre parcel on the west side of Windsor. The Windsor campus will be home to the college’s automotive programs, making the location next to the Iron Mountain Complex all the more appropriate. The automotive programs include collision repair and automotive repair and service, with a focus on new technology used for alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles. The new campus project has been made possible due to an in-kind donation to the college from the Water Valley Land Co. Source: Aims Windsor campus secures land,” The Northern Colorado Business Report; “Aimes Community College press release published 9/27/2007: http://www.aims.edu/about/pio/printNews.php?newsid=142

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Northern Colorado Tops on Forbes Report
Forbes magazine recently released their “2008 Top 10 Places for Business and Careers.” Northern Colorado secured top rankings, details below:

Greeley #1 for Income Growth
Greeley snagged the #1 spot for personal income growth over the past five years, out of 200 metropolitan cities. For job growth, Greeley came in at 27th. Overall, Greeley ranked 57th nationally on the list that measures number and quality of colleges, cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rate, culture and leisure, educational attainment, income growth, job growth and net migration in 200 of the nation’s metropolitan areas.

Fort Collins/Loveland Area #3 Overall “Top Place for Business and Careers”
An educated work force, solid labor supply, steady job growth and relatively low cost of living were the key placement factors. Specifically, the region’s household income growth averaged 5.5% and the cost of living was 9% below the national average. The 3rd place ranking represents a 25 spot increase from the area’s 28th ranking last year. Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson explains that “the list is validation of the city’s economic vision of promoting a healthy economy that fits with the values of the community.” The complete list of Forbes’ 2008 “Top 10 Places for Business and Careers” 1. Raleigh NC 6. Atlanta GA 2. Boise ID 7. Richmond VA 3. Fort Collins CO 8. Olympia WA 4. Des Moines IA 9. Spokane WA 5. Lexington KY 10. Knoxville TN Other Colorado cities on the list include Colorado Springs at #16, Denver at #31, Greeley at #57 and Boulder at #77. 
Source: Fort Collins Coloradoan, “Area ranks third for business,” 3/20/2008 ; NCBR, “Greeley tops nation in income growth,” 3/21/2008

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The Marketplace at Centerra welcomes three new stores
Shoe Carnival, G.J. Gardener Homes and Taliesence will soon have new mailing addresses at The Marketplace at Centerra, bringing the marketplace to 95% capacity. The Marketplace at Centerra is located north-west of the I-25 and Hwy 34 intersection. It is part of the 3,000-acre master planned community located in Loveland. McWhinney is the developer. You can learn more about The Marketplace at Centerra by visiting their website at: www.CenterraColorado.com.
Source: “Three new shops to open at The Marketplace at Centerra,” Staff Report, The Greeley Tribune, 3/15/08

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Weld county one of fastest growing metro areas
The recently released U.S. Census Bureau report shows the Greeley metro area, which covers Weld county, as the 12th fastest growing metro area in the nation from 2006 to 2007. Specifically, the area grew by 3.6% to a total of 243, 750 people. Strong growth in Windsor, Johnstown and other towns in the southern part of Weld county were cited as the major contributors to the growth. Many new residents in these communities commute to Denver or Longmont for work, but enjoy the relatively lower home prices and quality of life in the Weld county area. Grand Junction came in as the 9th fastest growing metro area, with 3.7% growth from 2006 to 2007.


Source: Reporter-Herald, “Weld nears top of list of fastest growing metro areas in the nation” by David Young, Greeley Tribune, 3/27/08 

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Loveland Making Room for Visitors

A brand new La Quinta Inn & Suites opened doors this month in Loveland. The hotel is part of The Fountains of Loveland, a 10-acre site that will feature an event center with a restaurant and a garden for weddings with a pond, fountains and a solid marble gazebo.

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Housing: Best time to buy in four years
An article from CNNMoney.com reports that according to a report from National City Corp. and Global Insight, home prices have dropped so quickly and so far that valuations - the difference between what a home should cost and its actual price - are the lowest they've been since 2004. The reports shows that more than 88% of the 330 housing markets surveyed showed price declines and improved affordability during the last three months of 2007. National City's chief economist, Richard DeKaser said, "Housing valuations are almost back to long-term norms." He called current affordability "the best in the past four years." The survey covered home valuations during the last three months of 2007, but DeKaser pointed out there's reason to believe that valuations are even more favorable for buyers today. Source: "Housing: Best time to buy in four years" by Les Christie, CNNMoney.com, pulled 3/5/08

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Harmony filling out with construction
Harmony Road is filled with construction crews who are bringing multiple developers’ visions to life. Soon, the area will see many new restaurants, retail stores and mixed-use developments. Harmony School Shops is a development that offers approximately 100,000 square feet of retail space. According to Robin Nicholson, who is leasing the space through SullivanHayes Brokerage, all but 25,000 square feet have been leased. Construction on The Pads at Harmony started last year and will consist of seven buildings, two of which are already completed. According to Gino Campana, building developer and owner of the project through Harmony Executive Park LLC, Pads will have about 58,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. Preparation has begun on the land that will house Presidio, an 85-acre master-planned mixed-use development. David Miller of Brinkman Partners, listing broker for overall Presidio development, said construction should "go vertical" around the beginning of 2009. Source: "Harmony filling out with construction" by By Marisa Beahm, The Reporter-Herald, Pulled 3/5/08: http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=15237

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Windsor Charter Academy to celebrate groundbreaking on addition
The Windsor Charter Academy held a recent groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on a major building addition. The addition represents the first Windsor school renovations tied to the bond passage and mill levy increase approved by voters in November 2007 and is scheduled for completion in August 2008. The $3.3 million, 17,000-square-foot project will include a new gymnasium, locker rooms, performance stage, music classroom and a full-service cafeteria. The latter will allow the academy to participate in Windsor Re-4’ hot lunch program. The current gym will be renovated to create eight more classrooms. Source: Reporter-Herald, “Windsor Charter Academy to celebrate groundbreaking on addition ”, Staff Report, Greeley Tribune, Pulled 3/5/08: http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080226/NEWS/885279338 

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Airport development project looks to lift off Airport
When Windsor developer Martin Lind drives around Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport, he sees a hodgepodge of mismatched hangars, modulars and rutted roads - a priceless asset at Northern Colorado's corporate front door worn down by inattention. He also sees an opportunity to develop adjacent land into a complementary high-end airpark that he says could generate 2,000 well-paying jobs and infuse private money into the municipally owned Fort Collins-Loveland airport. After months of delays, staffs from both cities have given the tentative OK for the project's first step - a joint agreement that would let Lind's project use airport runways and taxiways. The so-called "through-the-fence agreement," must be reviewed by the Federal Aviation Administration, the airport's advisory board and both city councils before Lind can move forward. "The great news is that all parties involved have agreed to the terms (of the through-the-fence agreement), which is a monumental milestone," said Lind, a pilot and aviation buff. Source: “Airport development project looks to lift off Airport” by Pat Ferrier, Coloradoan, Pulled 3/5/08: http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/BUSINESS/802170327/1046/CUSTOMERSERVICE02

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Local Housing Market Looking Up, Expert Says
Colorado should fare better than the rest of the nation when it comes to the housing market, according to one economist. The fallout from defaults in subprime loans continues to make national headlines almost every day, said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. But he advised people to ignore the national stories and focus on what’s happening locally. In recent years, Colorado’s housing market trends have bucked national patterns, he explained. While Yun estimates the national median price of single-family homes dropped by 2% in 2007 — the first nationwide price decline since the Great Depression — he said prices have remained virtually flat in the Denver-Boulder area. This is because Front Range housing prices did not follow the national pattern. Nationally, prices increased sharply from 2002 to 2005 but showed modest gains in 2006. Locally, however, price increases have risen only slightly since 2000. He called a drop in new-home construction, in Colorado and nationally, a “proper adjustment” given the amount of inventory available. Source: Source: Reporter-Herald, “Local housing market looking up, expert says” by Tony Kindelspire, 2008-1-18

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2008 Silver Spoon Film Festival: Call for Entries
The Loveland Museum/Gallery is now accepting film entries from northern Colorado residents ages 13-20 for the 9th Annual Silver Spoon Film Festival. The festival will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 6:00 pm at the Rialto Theater in Downtown Loveland. To enter, films must be under 20 minutes in length and be on DVD. Music videos will also be accepted, but must be under 5 minutes in length.

Prize categories include: Action/Suspense, Artistic/Abstract, Comedy, Music Videos (must be 5 minutes or less), Animation/Claymation, Drama and Documentary. Prizes include cash and award plaques. “Early Bird” entries for Silver Spoon will be accepted by March 21, 2008 for a $15.00 entry fee for the first film entered and $5.00 for each additional film entered by the same filmmaker. Late entries will be accepted from March 22 - March 28, 2008 for a $20.00 entry fee for first film, $5.00 for each additional film. ALL FILMS must be turned into the Loveland Museum/Gallery by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 28, 2008 with entry fees and waiver forms.

Application forms will be available at all Thompson School District high schools by Friday, December 14. Applications are also available at the Loveland Museum/Gallery and the Rialto Theater. Forms can also be found online at www.cityofloveland.org under the Cultural Services Department. For additional registration information and guidelines, please contact the Loveland Museum/Gallery at (970) 962-2410. The Loveland Museum/Gallery is located at 503 N. Lincoln. Source: City of Loveland, Press Release, Pulled 2/5/08: http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/news/CultSvc_SilverSpoonFilmFestival.htm

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Ground Breaks on New Local Boys & Girls Club
An article from the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald, reports that construction began Thursday on the new Loveland Boys and Girls Club. The new 20,000-square-foot building, located at 2500 E. First St., will accommodate up to 300 youths with rooms specifically for games, arts, music, education, exercise and computers. According to Kathi Wright, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County, the new Boys and Girls Club was made possible by the community's support, including a land donation from McWhinney and $850,000 given by the city of Loveland. The building will be called the Pulliam Youth Center, after the D.R. and Virginia Pulliam Family, who donated $1 million over the next five years. Completion of the building is expected in August. Source: Reporter-Herald, “Ground is broken for new local Boys and Girls Club” by Sarah Bultema, 2008-4-1 

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2534 Development Continues to Heat Up
The Coloradoan, reports that 2534 Office Investors II LLC, owners of The Office at 2534, have more than doubled their holdings with the recent purchase of 5.67 acres in 2534, a 542-acre mixed-use master planned community east of I-25/U.S. 34 on Johnstown's side of the interchange. Preliminary site plans include combining three office flex-tech buildings in a campus design including 86,000-square feet of Class A office space and an acre corner pad site for hotel, medical office building or other complementary use. Nick Christensen, a principal with real estate services firm Chrisland said, "We are really excited about the newly acquired piece of land as it will allow for greater flexibility. We will be able to accommodate a variety of office and office-flex users ranging in size from 2,500 to 100,000-plus square feet." Source: The Coloradoan, “2534 development continues to heat up” by Pat Ferrier, 2008-1-9

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I-25 and Colo. 392: Improvements on Horizon
The bridge between Windsor and Fort Collins is no longer the road less traveled. The Windsor Town Board voted to partner with Fort Collins and Metro Acquisitions, LLC, to alleviate the crunch atop its main gateway into town. The project outlines new on- and off-ramps, improvements to the frontage roads and bridge and possible bus stations or park-and-rides in the middle off the highway. Source: Greeley Tribune, 2007-11-28

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Cloverleaf Closes Doors, McWhinney Making Purchase
Cloverleaf Kennel Club closed its doors in December, citing declining business and increased taxation, and will soon be absorbed by Loveland developer McWhinney. Rocky Scott, president of McWhinney, said Cloverleaf property will be included among McWhinney’s holdings in the larger 400-acre master plan envisioned by Chad McWhinney. He said the company had always eyed the dog track. With the dog track closing, McWhinney will go through the “due diligence” process before the developer closes on the property. As for what is next for the property, Scott and McWhinney remain mum. “There are options,” he said. “It’s next to the hospital, and there are a lot of logical uses.” Source: Greeley Tribune, “Race is over for Cloverleaf: Dog track closes doors, McWhinney looks to swallow property” by Christopher Oritz, 2007-12-11

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Colorado Moving Up in Home Price Appreciation
An article from The Greeley Tribune, reports that 3rd-quarter statistics from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight indicate an improving trend with resale appreciation rates in the northern Colorado housing market. In a state-by-state comparison in the past 12 months, Colorado ranks 36th with a 2.23% appreciate rate. Weld County ranks 221st, in a ranking of 287 metropolitan statistical areas and divisions. Larimer County had a 12-month appreciation of .22% and had a ranking of 197. One thing these statistics show is that now is still a good time to be a real estate buyer in northern Colorado. Source: Greeley Tribune, “Colorado moving up in home price appreciation”, Guest Commentary, 2007-12-16

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Grant Received for Horsetooth Reservoir
The Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald, reports that Larimer County received a gift in the form of a $695,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado to pay for improvements to paths around Horsetooth Reservoir. Over the next 3 years, the money will be used for the creation of a new trailhead that will provide northern access to the Blue Sky Trail. District Manager Mark Caughlan said six new camper cabins and 20 campsites will be added, and a new camper services building that will include showers will be built at Inlet Bay. Also included will be a new swim beach with a picnic area, trail access and parking. These projects will cost an estimated $1.73 million and are an important part of the long-range plan for the county. Source: The Reporter-Herald, “County receives grant for reservoir” by Kathryn Dailey 2007-12-12

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Downtown Makes a Comeback in Northern Colorado Communities
Back in the day, downtown was the retail and cultural pillar of a community. The birth of malls coupled with urban growth has undoubtedly changed the role of “downtown,” and in some cases diminished that role. However, our northern Colorado communities are changing that. Greeley’s downtown intends to be the arts and entertainment core of the city, and plans are in the works for a new museum and art theater. The Downtown Loveland Association is leveraging the city’s arts reputation and hopes to entice shoppers to find a unique experience in Loveland. Old Town, in Fort Collins, has had great success in regaining its role as a cultural hub, reflected in its many art galleries, theaters and music venues. Residents can also look forward to the coming of Beet Street, an art and cultural initiative project coming in 2008. An amphitheater, lecture series, summer concerts and a summer Shakespeare festival are a part of the Beet Street master plan. Source: Greeley Tribune, “Northern Colorado downtowns work to re-create themselves” by Christopher Oritz, 2007-11-16

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Colorado Ranks as the 16th Healthiest State
Colorado’s ranking of 16th in The America’s Health Rankings released by United Health Foundation, remained unchanged from 2006. Although Colorado’s ranking didn’t change, key indicators of a healthy population did change. On the plus side, the percentage of smokers has dropped during the past year. On the negative side, the number of workplace fatalities increased, as has the number of obese people and the size of the state’s uninsured population Source: The Denver Business Journal, 2007-11-05

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Windsor, Severance to Get New Schools
Voters in the Windsor-Severance Re-4 School District passed issues 3A and 3B to build a new elementary school and middle school in Severance, as well as an addition to Grandview Elementary School in Windsor. A school has not operated in Severance since 1946. “I think that we are on track,” said John Vázquez, Re-4 board member, “The winners are truly the 3,300-plus kids in our school district.” Source: Greeley Tribune 2007-11-7

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Vestas Doubling Size of Windsor Plant
Market demand fueled Vestas Wind Systems decision to double the initial size of their wind turbine blade factory they are building in Windsor. The plant will employ approximately 430 workers when fully operational. The factory is Vestas’ first US-based wind turbine blade– manufacturing facility. Source: Rocky Mountain News, 2007-11-2

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Greeley rates high in Job Creation
A report released by the Milken Institute on Wednesday ranked 200 large and 179 small cities in the Best Performing Cities Index. Cities are ranked based on such criteria as long-term and short-term measures of jobs and salary growth. After placing No. 31 on last year’s smallest metros list, Greeley jumped onto the list of large cities at No. 29. The Fort Collins-Loveland area dropped to No. 75 from 46. Boulder edged down to No. 93 from No. 92. The 2007 index reflects the performance of the cities in 2006.
Source: Denver Business Journal, 2007-9-26

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Gateway to Fort Collins, Loveland Changing
Three big projects have the potential to dramatically change the face of Northern Colorado within the next 10 years. Grand Station, H25 and Presidio all promote the “new urbanist” concepts of living, working and playing in the same areas. Developer Les Kaplan said his Presidio project is ripe for high-end office space, a hotel/conference center, housing and some retail. Jay Stoner of Stoner Homes plans to transform a gravel pit into an $800 million development, being called H25 for now, where residents can live, work and play. Slated for a fall 2009 opening, McWhinney’s Grand Station in Loveland includes three hotels, 150 residential units, office space, conference center and entertainment. Source: Coloradoan 2007-10-14

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Road marks new Windsor-Loveland route
The completion of a 1.5 mile stretch of Centerra Parkway from U.S. 34 north to Crossroads Boulevard was announced by McWhinney and the Centerra Metropolitan District. The new stretch creates a 14-mile parallel arterial route east of Interstate 25 from U.S. 34 north to Colo. 14 east of Fort Collins. Rocky Scott, president of Centerra, McWhinney, said in a prepared release, “The Centerra Parkway connection will allow for greater connectivity, convenience and overall safety by diverting in-town traffic away from the Interstate." Source: Greeley Tribune 2007-10-16

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Survey Results: Colorado “Going in Right Direction”
In Ciruli Associates’ second annual “Citizens Poll on Economic Development”, the results show most Coloradans are upbeat about their state and its economy. 7 in 10 polled give a high priority to economic development in Colorado. The vast majority said economic development efforts should focus on promoting Colorado products and services, job training recruiting, and offering incentives to move jobs to the state. Source: The Denver Business Journal, 2007-10-15

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