Aurora Economic Development Council


	Investor e-mail	March 2008

	Business News

	According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Denver International Airport has been named the fifth-busiest airport in the nation for 2007. The airport handled 23,708,000 passengers during 2007, an increase of approximately 1.3 million passengers. Congratulations to Opus Northwest, L.L.C. for receiving NAIOP’s “2007 Developer of the Year” on its Pinnacle project. ProLogis was awarded “2007 Industrial Development of the Year” for its ProLogis Park 70 development. The Aurora Economic Development Council’s annual business mission to Washington, D.C. is scheduled for April 15 – 18. A delegation consisting of elected officials, board members, regional and state economic development partners, and aerospace and bioscience industry leaders are headed to our nation’s capitol to communicate with congressional leadership on issues having an impact on the Aurora/Denver metro area. Additionally, the mission will give participants an opportunity to provide support for our targeted industries and transportation needs. Thank you to our sponsors: City of Aurora The Boeing Company The Children's Hospital D.A. Davidson & Co. Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Colorado Science + Technology Park at Fitzsimons Lend Lease Communities Lockheed Martin Metro Center LLC (no link) Michael A. Sheldon & Associates LLC (no link) Oakwood Homes LLC ProLogis University of Colorado Denver University of Colorado Hospital

	Development News

	The new Ronald McDonald House at 932 Potomac Circle in Aurora will welcome its first families beginning the week of March 17. The new, 70,000 square foot, $15 million facility will be able to house 45 families. The charity stated it will keep the downtown Ronald McDonald House due to the need to assist as many families as possible. With no land available onsite at Fitzsimons, The Medical Center of Aurora leased land to the Ronald McDonald House for $1 per year for the next 99 years. The Ronald McDonald House provides rooms and meals to families with children receiving treatment or are hospitalized at nearby hospitals, including the new Children’s Hospital at Fitzsimons.

Transportation Update

According to the Regional Transportation District, the FasTracks I-225 Corridor has several set goals for 2008, which include: Identifying the recommended alignment of the 10.5-mile light rail corridor that will link the existing Southeast Line from I-225 and Parker Road to a future station near Peoria Street and Smith Road. Identifying specific locations for seven light rail stations along the new line. Identifying any potential environmental and cultural impacts. Developing a preferred alternative for the construction of the new light rail line. The FasTracks I-225 Corridor is part of the 12-year, $6.1 billion RTD FasTracks program that will build 122 miles of new rail transit throughout the metro area. The I-225 FasTracks Corridor is slated to be operational in 2015.

	Legislative Update

The Aurora Economic Development Council is focusing on eight bills introduced in the current regular session of the Colorado General Assembly. In addition to these eight bills, the organization will be monitoring all bills with an economic development impact introduced in the House and Senate. The Aurora Economic Development Council and its Public Policy Committee continues to partner with other business organizations such as the Colorado Competitive Council, NAIOP, the Colorado Bioscience Association, and the Colorado Economic Leadership Coalition, among others to further our influence on key issues.

HB 1001 – Bioscience Research Grant Program – RIESBERG/BACON (Support)
Bill Summary
As part of the Governor’s economic development legislative package, this bill would help early-stage bioscience companies to get through the evaluation process for bioscience research discoveries, and to commercialization more quickly. The House Appropriations Committee increased the appropriation to $5.5 million from the General Fund in FY 2007-08, $4.5 million from the Limited Gaming Fund in FY 2008-09 and $5.5 million for each of the subsequent three years.

Aurora Economic Development Council Action
Senior Vice President Dick Hinson testified before the House Finance Committee. Staff took immediate action by drafting support for HB 1001 for public policy committee members and board of directors to call and/or e-mail the House Finance Committee.

Status
03/18/2008 Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
Next Step: Senate Appropriations Committee 3/28/2008

HB 1189 – Prohibit Personnel Employee Strikes – RIESBERG/GIBBS (Support)
Bill Summary
Prohibits any employee in the state personnel system or any labor organization, through formal action or through its agents, from inciting, encouraging, aiding, or participating in a strike, stoppage of work, slowdown, or interruption of operations by employees in the state personnel system.

Aurora Economic Development Council Action
Monitoring – The Aurora Economic Development Council originally was monitoring HB 1187 – Prohibit Personnel Employee Strikes – and shifted its focus to HB 1189 after HB 1187 was Postponed Indefinitely by the House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor on 1/24/2008.

Status
03/25/2008 Sent to the Governor
Next Step: Currently not on calendar

HB 1225 – Business Personal Property Tax Exemption – RICE, BUESCHER/WILLIAMS, WARD (Support)
Bill Summary
As part of the Governor’s economic development legislative package, this bill would increase business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $7,000.

Aurora Economic Development Council Action
Monitoring

Status
02/19/2008 House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
Next Step: Currently not on calendar

HB 1259 – Special Districts - CARROLL M./(NONE) (Neutral)
Bill Summary
States that a special district may provide services only within the territory of the special district. Requires a special district that currently provides services outside its territory to file a petition within a specified time to modify its service plan in order to provide services only within its territory.

This bill has been re-drafted with the assistance of the Colorado Metro District Association to address areas under concern by multiple entities.

Aurora Economic Development Council Action
Monitoring

Status
03/20/2008 Senate Committee on Local Government Pass Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
Next Step: Senate second reading 3/27/2008

HB 1261 – “Fly-away” Sales Tax Exemption for Aircraft – BUESCHER/BACON (Support)
Bill Summary
As part of the Governor’s economic development legislative package, exempts from sales tax the sale of a new or used aircraft to a person who is not a resident of the state for registration and primary use outside the state.

Aurora Economic Development Council Action
Monitoring

Status
03/19/2008 Senate Third Reading Laid Over to 03/26/2008
Next Step: Senate Third Reading 03/26/2008

Note: SB 84 -Requirements for Development at Lowry Range and SB 94 - Modifies Urban Renewal Law (Both Opposed) have been Posponed Indefinitely.