Anyone who drives the I-25 corridor has seen with their own eyes the growth Denver South has experienced. New towers are continually rising from the ground, building new spaces for companies that are bringing well-paying jobs to the region. With this in mind, the team at Denver South designed the August Partnership Meeting as an opportunity for the community to get a glimpse into a few of the companies expanding – and thriving – in our own backyard.
Sam Bailey, Manager of Economic Development Policy for Amazon, kicked off the presentations by highlighting the economic investment and impact that his company has made in Colorado. Already, Amazon employs over 20,000 part-time and full-time employees, supports 34,000 small businesses in the state, and has invested over $5.5 billion in the Colorado economy. Although the company has employees statewide, Bailey is bullish on the company’s future in Denver South and Colorado. In his eyes, quality of life is a key retention tool, as desirable schools, neighborhoods, and amenities tend to encourage employees to stay in their community. This in turn often contributes to employee longevity. Further, Bailey noted that Denver South aligns with Amazon’s emphasis on looking to the future. As a company, Amazon is always looking ahead to determine what is next, and seeks to invest in communities that similarly have a forward-thinking mindset. Bailey noted that Amazon has found this mindset in Denver South, citing the RidgeGate development as an example of growth that is both smart and strategic. As Amazon continues to grow its brand and reach, Bailey sees nothing but potential for the company’s future in the region.
Kiewit Corporation’s Director of Business Development & Strategy Kelli Kelly kicked off her presentation by underscoring that, while Kiewit may have a brand new campus in Lone Tree, its Colorado roots run deep. Kiewit played an instrumental role in the construction of many Colorado landmarks, including the Eisenhower Tunnel, Glenwood Canyon, and Denver Union Station, among many other prominent projects. Therefore, when seeking to build a new regional office, Denver was a natural choice for the company, as they already had employees in several small offices spread across the metro area. When considering campus sites, Denver South stood out for its proximity to housing options, transit, and amenities. Kelly noted that location is key to talent attraction, and believes these amenities play a role with both talent attraction and retention. She also noted that the proximity of their new Denver South campus to key universities – including the Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, and the University of Colorado – has enabled the company to partner with, and invest in, the next generation of talent. Kelly believes these and other community partnerships in Denver South will allow Kiewit to remain competitive in a market where talent is often at a premium.
Our final presenter was Ashley Comstock, Chief Financial Officer for Vectra Bank, whose company plans on moving into their newly-constructed headquarters at Belleview Station this December. Comstock noted that the company maxed out the three offices they currently occupy in 2017, and has spent the last six years evaluating their options for a new headquarters. Though the company considered both existing offices and greenfield options throughout the metro area, they ultimately opted for a new build to be able to best customize the office for their needs in a post-pandemic workplace. Denver South provided the best landing place for their new headquarters due to its proximity to transit and the visibility their new office could have to those traveling on I-25. Additionally, Comstock noted that Vectra Bank was drawn to the continuity and synergy that Denver South, and specifically Belleview Station, could offer, noting that being near the headquarters of both Western Union and Newmont Mining among other large companies was a significant draw. Although construction through a pandemic presented opportunities and challenges, Vectra Bank is confident in the future of Denver South, and the role the region can play in their bank’s continued success.
We hope you can join us for our next Partnership Meeting, Constructing the Future, on October 6th, where we will update and examine the transportation projects in the region. To register for our October event, click here.
Slide decks for each presenter can be found below:
