Gershen named President of Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy
Congratulations to Jay Alan Gershen, D.D.S., Ph.D., vice chancellor for external affairs for the University of Colorado Denver and 2009 chair for the Aurora Economic Development Council, for recently being named president of the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy. Gershen came to the university in 1997 and was instrumental in the development of what is now the Anschutz Medical Campus. He led the development of the first master plan for Fitzsimons and worked to formulate the current vision and strategic directions for the bioscience research park at Fitzsimons. In addition to participating in numerous projects to raise public and private funds for the new campus, Gershen played a leadership role with the Aurora Economic Development Council in mobilizing the business community to help secure state legislative funding for its education buildings. His work building bridges with local and national health care, business and civic leaders is the cornerstone of his legacy to UC Denver and has helped to cement the Anschutz Medical Campus’ reputation as one of the finest sites for research, education and clinical care in the country.

APS moves forward under Barry’s leadership
Aurora Public Schools superintendent John Barry is overseeing significant developments on several fronts for his district of 35,500 students. In August, Barry and other officials broke ground on a new APS K-20 campus, the first of its kind in the state. Once completed, the new campus will welcome students from kindergarten through age 20 to an innovative educational environment designed to prepare them for college and careers. The K-8 facilities of the campus are scheduled to open their doors in fall 2010. The K-20 campus reflects priorities of the VISTA 2010 plan Barry created when he took the helm at APS in 2006. In late October, Barry and district leadership released a draft of VISTA 2015, launching a six-month listening tour to gain feedback on the new plans. Additionally, Barry was also recently recognized as “Educator of the Year” by Shades of Blue, an honor for educators and aerospace experts who have made major contributions to the education and employment of students and college graduates. Barry teaches a nine-week Aviation Ground School class in partnership with Shades of Blue at the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum each semester. The class introduces students to the wonders of flight and culminates with an opportunity to fly in an airplane.


APS superintendent John Barry and students.

Accelerate Colorado's D.C. 2010
Presenting Sponsor - Arapahoe County 
May 10 – 12, 2010

You are invited to join Accelerate Colorado on our exclusive annual business mission to Washington, D.C. to meet with Colorado’s Congressional delegation and other prominent political and business leaders.  Recognized as one of the best organized and most effective missions of its kind, we advocate for federal support beneficial to Colorado’s economy especially in the areas of aerospace, bioscience, health care, energy and transportation.

Invited guests include statewide business and civic leaders, elected officials, and targeted industry executives.

$3,500 All Inclusive
(Airfare, hotel, meals, etc.)

Contact Kathleen Welo at 303.340.2101 or welo@auroraedc.com to RSVP.

Select sponsorship opportunities available.

Space is limited and we anticipate selling out again this year.

SolarTAC powered up
Members of the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) and business and government leaders from the metro area convened in Aurora recently to mark a milestone in "Powering Up" one of the world’s largest solar test and demonstration facilities. Since announcing the initial launch of SolarTAC approximately one year ago, the site infrastructure development has progressed to the point where members can now break ground for their planned solar technology implementation and testing. SolarTAC originated when six public and private sector entities: Abengoa Solar, the city of Aurora, the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, Midwest Research Institute (MRI), SunEdison, and Xcel Energy, joined forces to build a site where member companies can bring their early commercial or near-commercial stage solar technologies for testing and demonstration under actual field conditions.  By the end of this year, nearly $1.8 million of infrastructure work will be completed by MRI, SolarTAC’s management and operating contractor, to prepare the site for member companies to move-in equipment and construct member-specific facilities. The work includes grading, drainage and soil erosion control, access roads, electric power supply and distribution, fire protection, sewer and water lines, communications lines, fencing and security. SolarTAC occupies 74-acres adjacent to the 1,762-acre Aurora Campus for Renewable Energy. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) recently announced that they have both signed letters of intent to join SolarTAC. 

Companies select Aurora for relocation/expansion
Leneartz Distribution, an industrial shipping material provider, recently purchased a 44,000-square-foot facility at 725 Ventura Street in Aurora where it will relocate 25 jobs. The Aurora Economic Development Council assisted Leneartz with expediting its permit/plan review with the city. Bradco Supply, one of the nation’s largest distributors of building materials, selected Aurora for its latest expansion. The New Jersey company will create 50 new jobs at the 17808 E. 24th Drive location. Staff assisted Bradco with site selection and city code issues. Additionally, we would like to welcome MBM Food Service to Majestic Realty’s Majestic Commercenter. MBM Food Service will relocate 22 jobs and add an additional 29 jobs to the 2761 E. 35th Drive location.