April 24, 2014
50 cents Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 148, Issue 20
A publication of
goldentranscript.net
More jobs forecasted
Sweet success
EDC eyes workforce in county By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation is pushing ahead with its Forward Jeffco program, with 558 new jobs anticipated so far during the next five years for the county, the EDC reports. A first quarter report, revealed to the board of county commissioners during staff briefings last week, measured the EDC’s Forward Jeffco initiative for the first time — a program that intends to add 7,500 jobs to the county in five years. The 558 job prospects are due in part to the attractions of a few out of state engineering companies and expansions of bioscience companies like Sorin Group USA and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. Lockheed’s national consolidation of operations is expected to bring 300 plus jobs that includes job relocations for current employees who may be moving to the area from places like Pennsylvania and Arizona. Hamon Deltak, a mechanical engineering firm from Minnesota who opened a second office in Jeffco, will attract 120 jobs to the county over the next five years. “This is the most relocation activity we’ve had out of our office in a very long time,” said Michelle Claymore, vice president of EDC. “We’ve had a really, really good first quarter.” An economic report drafted by the EDC showed a tight industrial real estate market with a 1.90 percent vacancy rate for industrial warehouses. This offers a competitive market for companies moving out of Denver and into the burbs as pot growers and merchants begin to encroach on existing spaces, Claymore said. “For industrial, everyone wants to be here,” she said. “We just have a really slow office market.” Claymore reported that a lot of companies are heading to downtown Denver and taking the younger work force with them, known as the millennial generation. The report read that millennials are looking for public transit, walkability, sporting events and inclusive environments. Citing Brookings Institution in their report, an independent research organization, Denver has become the No. 1 spot for millennials to work and live. Claymore stated the migration to Denver is part of a cyclical trend that will see businesses and millennials moving back to the burbs. “I think that’s something we really need to look at,” said Commissioner Casey Tighe. “Arvada’s light rail station is probably the most ready-made location of all light rail’s we’ve had so it will be really interesting to see when Arvada’s opens if a lot of millennials attract to an urban setting that’s outside of downtown.” According to the EDC, Jeffco’s age distribution is 43 percent over the age of 45. “We are the oldest county from an age standpoint and it seems like a lot of what’s Jobs continues on Page 15 POSTAL ADDRESS
McKenna Kelly, 2, enjoys the sweet taste of victory while chewing on candy after the annual Easter Egg Hunt in Parfet Park in Golden on Saturday, April 19. Hundreds of children 12 years and under filled their baskets with plastic eggs that were scattered across the park filled with delicious candy. Photo by Amy Woodward
‘Moms’ rally for common sense gun laws Local gathering draws mayor, shooting survivors By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Proponents for “common sense gun laws” assembled in Lions Park to call on community support and to call out lawmakers during a public rally the morning of April 16. The rally marked the first anniversary of a popular backed bipartisan bill that was defeated in the U.S. Senate in 2013. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., proposed to expand background checks for all gun purchases that would extend to gun shows and online sales. The bill failed to reach the 60-vote threshold to move it forward with senators voting 54 in favor and 46 against. “Congress failed to get the job done,” said Mayor Sloan, member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. “For too long the will
Karina Vargas, center front, looks on as supporters for gun safety laws take their turn at the podium during a rally to end gun violence in Lions Park on Wednesday, April 16. Photo by Amy Woodward of the vast majority of Americans has been shut out by the Washington gun lobby, today we’re saying enough is enough.” The coalition of supporters at the rally included Moms Demand Action who organized the event, they are a national grass roots organization that advocates for stricter gun laws and has gained supporters from survivors of gun violence
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT
including some of the families affected by the 2012 movie theater shooting in Aurora who spoke out on gun violence. “Gun violence is not just an urban problem or a mass shooting problem, it can and does happen in every town,” said Tom Sullivan, father of Alex Sullivan who was killed during the Aurora theatre shooting. “I have to wonder, how many
more of these tragedies our communities must endure before somebody stands up to the gun lobby and passes laws that make us safer.” Karina Vargas, 18, sat quietly while waiting for her turn to speak. On Dec. 6, 2010, Vargas was struck by a stray bullet while going to school at Central High School in Aurora. The incident left her paralyzed from the waist down. “Someone who should not have had access to a gun took my ability to walk,” Vargas said. “I am willing to speak out as many times as I need to because sharing my story may just prevent another senseless act of gun violence from taking someone’s ability to walk or better yet — their life.” While the issue of gun access has been an ongoing discussion since the Columbine shootings in 1999, the debate has gained momentum after the country experienced two mass gun shootings in 2012 that were five Gun continues on Page 15
(ISSN 0746-6382)
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