Posts tagged economy
CU: Colorado economy heating up next year
Dec 11th
The comprehensive outlook report for 2014 features forecasts and trends for 13 business sectors prepared by more than 100 key business, government and industry professionals. “With Colorado’s skilled workforce, high-tech diversified economy, relatively low cost of doing business, global economic access and exceptional quality of life, the state is poised for long-term economic growth,” Wobbekind wrote in the outlook. Wobbekind is the executive director of the Leeds School’s Business Research Division.
Overall, the forecast calls for a gain of 61,300 jobs in 2014, compared with a gain of about 66,900 jobs this year. All sectors of the Colorado economy are predicted to grow in 2014 with the exception of the information sector, which includes publishing and telecommunications. Colorado is expected to be in the top five states for job growth in 2014 with workers added in both goods- and services-producing sectors. The strongest sector for projected job growth in Colorado in 2014 is the professional and business services sector, which is expected to add 14,200 jobs or grow by 3.8 percent. “Colorado has strategic advantages in the professional and business services sector given the highly educated workforce, innovative spirit and small business base that we have in the state,” said Wobbekind. “If national-level political and fiscal uncertainty subsides, we may see even stronger growth in this sector than what we’re currently projecting.”
Other leading job growth sectors for 2014 include the construction sector, which is expected to add 11,000 jobs or grow by 8.7 percent; and the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which is expected to add 9,100 jobs or grow by 2.2 percent. Though it was one of the greatest casualties of the recession, the construction sector has exhibited strong growth in recent years in values, permits and employment, according to Wobbekind. Total value of construction is expected to reach the second highest level in the past decade, rising by 14.8 percent in 2014 with the largest increase due to residential construction. Total housing permits are expected to grow by 17.5 percent with gains in both single- and multifamily units. The trade, transportation and utilities sector is the largest provider of jobs in Colorado. It includes everything from wholesale and retail trade to a variety of transportation features such as Denver International Airport and gas pipelines, as well as utilities. DIA is expected to record more than 52 million passengers in 2014.
Retail sales in the state are anticipated to rise by 5 percent in 2014, up from 4.2 percent growth in 2013. Colorado’s unemployment rate is expected to remain below 7 percent in 2014, which is comparatively better than the national unemployment rate. Commenting on the overall forecast, Wobbekind said, “After the deep recession we encountered as a state and a nation, it is really a relief to be reporting strong positive job growth in Colorado.” Risks to economic growth nationally include sequestration, the debt limit, government shutdown, Federal Reserve policy and health care reform, according to the outlook. Colorado’s population is the seventh fastest growing in the country by percentage and the ninth fastest growing in the country by number of residents. The state’s population is projected to grow by 1.7 percent to nearly 5.4 million people. To view the entire economic outlook for Colorado in 2014, including an overview of each of the state’s major economic sectors, visit http://leeds.colorado.edu/BRD. To follow the event on Twitter use #OutlookCO.
-CU-
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Google Hosts Free Event to Help Colorado Small Businesses Get Online
Aug 9th
U.S. Rep. Polis and Boulder Mayor Appelbaum to kick off event, business owners to launch free websites with step-by-step guidance from Google staff
Boulder, CO, August 13, 2013 – Google, along with U.S. Rep. Jared Polis and Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum will launch its Colorado Get Your Business Online program in Boulder.
Since the statewide program began in 2012, more than 1,300 Colorado businesses have taken advantage of free Google tools to launch a website and grow their businesses online. However, 63% of Colorado small businesses still don’t have a website while 97% of internet users go online to find local products and services. The August 13th workshop features step-by-step guidance for business owners to learn how to build their own website, as well as attend sessions devoted to promoting their business online, all offered free of charge.
Also at the event, Google will present the City of Boulder with an inaugural award recognizing Colorado’s strongest online business community as a digital capital of America – a city that embraces the power of the web to grow its businesses and fuel its economy.
Local elected officials and businesses will be available to discuss the program with media.
WHAT: Google Get Your Business Online event and workshop for Colorado businesses
WHO: U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum, local business owners and Google trainers, designers and website developers
WHEN: News conference: Tuesday, August 13th from 10:00 to 10:20 a.m. Workshops run 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Rembrandt Yard, 1301 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80301
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Robert Reich Interview – Boulder Denver New Tech Meetup
Feb 20th
Jann Scott Interviews Boulder-Denver New Tech Meetup founder Robert Reich and we learn about Robert has created a great place for New Tech companies in Colorado to meet and share their ideas and become apart of the growing community of multimedia in the area and what it means to be a Start Up company and a Small Business.