Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. presents annual awards - Denver Business Journal:

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It was one of several awards presente d Thursday by the Metro Denver EDC at itsannual "Repory to Investors and Awardss Luncheon" at the Hyatt Regencuy Denver at Colorado Convention Center. The EDC's Deal of the Year Awar recognizes a company that creates the largest local economivc impact through new job creation and capital San Francisco-based Schwab (NASDAQ: SCHW) was recognizes for its planned expansion in Douglae County, creating 500 new local jobs over the next three years. ( .) The jobs -- primarily technology positions -- will pay an averagew salary of $75,000. The company'se move eventually will create an economic benefit to Coloradoof $157.
e3 million a year, the Metro Denver EDC "The Charles Schwab expansion exemplifies the type of projecrt the Metro Denver EDC targets with its recruitment and marketing efforts-established companies that need a highluy skilled workforce and a dynamic locatiohn in which to expand," Don Marshall, regional presidenft of Wells Fargo Bank and Metro Denver EDC co-chair, said in a statement. -- The Metropolitahn Cooperation Award, recognizing joint efforts to furtherthe region'z economic development potential, went to six organizationss and local governments: The city of Brighton/Brightom Economic Development Corp.
, Weld County, Upstatee Colorado Economic Development, the Colorado Officw of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Regional Transportationj District (RTD). The six honorees helped assemble the land it needecd to build two new plantsin Brighton. With a capitalo investment of $290 million, Vestads will eventually employ 1,350 peoplse at the facilities, the EDC said. "The sheer impact of Vestas' investment in the Brighton and Weld Counth communityis massive," Chuci Ward, president of Qwest Coloradl and Co-Chair of the Metro Denvet EDC, said in the "The community spirit in which this deal was established signifiexs to Vestas our commitment to put Metro Denveer and Colorado on the global stage for wind energy.
" -- The Chairs Award for Outstanding Efforts in Economic Development went to two stats lawmakers -- Sen. Rollire Heath and Rep. Joe Rice -- for theif efforts to move Gov. Bill Ritter's economixc development package through the 2009legislative session., including Houswe Bill 1001, a measure offering tax credits for companiew that create job growth. "The passage of this legislatiojn is truly a game changerfor Colorado," said Tom Clark, executives vice president of the Metro Denver EDC. "Ity places us on par with other major metro aread in attracting corporate headquarters and otheervalued projects.
This legislation will be key to our ongoin g recovery by providing existing and expanding companieds incentive to add jobsin Colorado." -- And a Specialo Recognition Award was presented to Joe Blake, outgoing presiden and CEO of the and the Metro Denvet EDC, who will soon leave to becomr chancellor of the Colorado State Universit system. "During his 10-year term as president and CEO, Joe has tacklex the toughest issues facing Metr oDenver companies, first-hand. His work on Referendum C, the Poison Pilld amendments, and the FASTER legislation certainly puts our business communitu onfirmer ground," Ward said.
Newswee Senior Editor and author Daniel Gross keynotedthe "This has been a great time for Gross said. "You've made more intelligent decisions on investments than a lot ofotherf people. You're also diversifying your economywith aerospace, and alternative energy."