from NEWSLINK, Vol. 8, No. 1, Fall 2003

What can Colorado’s economic development professionals do in the coming years to make sure that the state keeps its competitive edge? The state’s Economic Developer’s Council of Colorado’s (EDCC) first order of business was to get ahold of Dr. Jonathan Haughton, BHI’s senior economist and co-author of two nationally recognized studies on competitiveness.

Haughton was the keynote speaker on October 16 at the Council’s conference, “Making Your Community More Competitive,” in Grand Junction, CO.

The conference, attended not only by economic development experts but also by representatives of major industries, drew 120 individuals to hear about BHI’s work in the area of competitiveness. Haughton delivered a special presentation “Running to Stay Fit: The Challenge of Continuing Colorado’s Competitiveness.”

Citing two of BHI’s works on the subject, Haughton noted that Colorado ranked 4th overall in the Institute’s 2002 survey, moving up two places. He also noted that the Denver metropolitan area ranked 4th in last year’s study, which focused on cities and their nearby suburbs. These top rankings were based on the ability of the state to provide a highly educated workforce and an emphasis on high technology as well as the ability to maintain adequate infrastructure and a hospitable place for start-up companies.

Some of the economic developers expressed concern about increasing competition from Wyoming, which has been recently attracting jobs away from northern Colorado. In response, Haughton cited one possible advantage identified in the BHI study: Wyoming has a higher rate of high school graduation that Colorado.

In addition to paying more attention to the quality of its high schools, Haughton also stressed the need for Colorado in general, and the Denver area specifically, to deepen the local financial system, contain the cost of living, and become more oriented toward the outside world.
EDCC is a nonprofit association of economic development professionals established to further the economic development of the State of Colorado. Part of its mission is to sustain a stable trend of economic growth, high environmental quality, and a sound business system.

Earlier this year a BHI team examined the competitiveness of the Buffalo metropolitan area in some detail, and presented a full report to business and opinion leaders there.

NewsLink is the quarterly newsletter of the Beacon Hill Institute for Public Policy Research at Suffolk University. © 1996-2003. All rights reserved.

Posted on 07-Nov-2003 1:50 PM