Channel 1 Networks

City Manager Jane S. Brautigam has approved a flexible rebate application for Boulder-based Covidien for up to $75,000 in rebates. The rebates were authorized for sales and use taxes, and development review and permit related fees.

The flexible rebate program is one of the city’s business incentives, first approved by the City Council in September 2006. The rebate incentive covers a wide range of fees, equipment and construction use taxes

“Covidien would like to thank City Manager Jane Brautigam for approving the rebates for our new innovation center,” said Marta Newhart, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs at Covidien. “The new facility will help to foster Covidien’s culture of innovation, accelerate new product time-to-market and will also be used for enhanced staff training and development.”

Covidien (formerly Valleylab) was founded more than 40 years ago in Boulder with a 26-acre campus that serves as headquarters for two Global Business Units: Energy-based Devices and Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions. With more than 1,500 employees, the company manufactures medical devices and supplies, diagnostic imaging agents and produces devices and instruments that provide industry-leading solutions in electrosurgery, vessel sealing and interventional oncology. In September, the Planning Board approved a Site Review Amendment application for Covidien to build a new 66,000 square foot building and a new parking structure.

“The City of Boulder is proud to have been the home of Covidien for more than 40 years,” said City Manager Jane S. Brautigam. “The city is very pleased that Boulder’s second largest private employer plans to expand its Gunbarrel campus to continue to develop and manufacture its innovative, world class medical devices and healthcare products.”

The 2010 flexible rebate program uses social, community, and environmental sustainability guidelines. Companies may choose the guidelines that best fit their company, but they must meet minimum requirements in order to receive the rebate. Covidien has significantly exceeded the minimum community sustainability guidelines. In addition to meeting the guidelines related to average wage, health insurance, diversity support, and non-profit support, Covidien provides housing assistance for relocating employees who are purchasing a home in Boulder. Covidien makes broad efforts to reduce its impact on the environment, from financial assistance for bus passes to becoming a zero waste facility. Also of note, the proposed new Building 7, has been designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. Funds from the requested rebate will be used for more energy saving features.