To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
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Kendra Davis, Management Analyst, Commissioners’ Office
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presenter
Presenter: Kendra Davis, Management Analyst, Commissioners’ Office
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Subject:
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11:00 AM *County Economic Development Program and Environmental Scan
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The County’s Strategic Plan - Arapahoe Forward - emphasizes Economic Resilience and Stability as a key focus area to strengthen the county’s economic foundation by ensuring financial sustainability, housing security, and business growth. Investing in economic development activities can help advance the County’s strategic plan by offering higher quality public services and more job opportunities for residents. This meeting will provide an overview of the County’s current economic development program and tools, as well as a review of how economic development is structured in neighboring counties. Staff requests that the Board provide feedback on the tools available to counties and identify any areas where they would like additional information.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Economic Resilience and Stability - Increase job opportunities and business development initiatives to sustain a strong local economy.
Background and Discussion: Arapahoe County has historically funded economic development through strategic investments with regional partners, including economic development corporations, chambers of commerce and small business development centers. A list of these partners is attached to this report. In 2026, the County contributed almost $350,000 to these organizations.
The County relies on these partners to support the County economy through a variety of ways, including:
• Primary job creation
• Business retention and recruitment
• Identify and support key business needs in specific areas, i.e. talent, infrastructure, etc.
• Community building and networking
• Business support and engagement
• Small business support and entrepreneurship resources
Outside of these partners, the County has its own tools to leverage as needed, including incentive payment agreements for business personal property tax, the South Metro enterprise zone, Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, etc.
Staff will also present information on how neighboring counties structure their economic development function. The Board is invited to provide feedback on any additional resources or activities that they would like more information on.
Alternatives: This is an informational report and a request for feedback.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: N/A
Staff Recommendation: N/A
Concurrence: N/A