Commerce Connection masthead 
September 2016
In This Issue



con.ceptUnique Arts Complex Coming to Commerce City
One of the founders of the Santa Fe Arts District plans to open an 11-acre arts complex called Con.cept Colorado, the first of its kind in Commerce City, at 6601 Colorado Blvd. Phase one is scheduled to open in spring 2017 with a 21,000-square-foot building containing 18,000 square feet of studio space, gallery and exhibition areas, and food and drink venues. Nearly 15 galleries and artists have already committed to be part of the complex.

Escalating real estate prices in Denver have displaced artists from neighborhoods like the Santa Fe Arts District and the RiNo Arts District, creating a tremendous opportunity for Commerce City to attract a new industry in the creative sector and generate significant economic activity to redevelop this area of the city. Con.cept Colorado will create a destination for art events and workshops in the heart of the core city's industrial district. Its close proximity to the future RTD rail station at E. 72nd Ave. and Colorado Blvd. along the N-Line gives visitors from across Metro Denver the opportunity to visit the complex. A "Meet the Space" event is being held on Sept. 30 starting at 4 p.m. Click here for more information.
DMDenver Machine Celebrates 100th Anniversary  

Denver Machine celebrated its 100th anniversary with an open house on August 19.  Mayor Pro Tem RenĂ© Bullock spoke at the event and other members of city council were in attendance. 

Founded in 1916, Denver Machine is a fourth-generation family business serving the Rocky Mountain region. Long after companies like Woolworth's, Pan Am, TWA, and Standard Oil have shut their doors, Denver Machine Shop is still going strong in the mining, petroleum, and manufacturing industries with replacement parts and heavy machinery rebuild services. Their work includes repair of heavy mining equipment, rock crushers, steel-making production lines, food industry equipment, and sand and gravel screening equipment.  In 2013, Denver Machine Shop relocated to a 30,000 square-foot industrial building at 9762 E. Hanover Ct. The company's sales increased dramatically after the relocation - a result they attribute to their move to Commerce City. With increased sales, the company hired eight new employees in 2015 for a total of 28.  The city is proud to have this incredible company located here.
alpineAuto Repair, Customization Business Opens in Northern Range

Alpine Autoworks & Customs opened on August 1 and celebrated its grand opening on August 20 at 9700 E. 104th Ave. #H .  Mayor Sean Ford spoke at the event and members of city council were in attendance.  Alpine Autoworks & Customs is an automotive repair business that specializes in all vehicle maintenance, customization and motorcycles. Co-owner and River Run resident Josh Menges has had a passion for cars since he restored his first car in his driveway at the age of 15. Together with Nick Smith, his brother-in-law, and Jason Braun, his father-in-law, Alpine Autoworks & Customs was formed as a family-owned business determined to treat customers honestly and to make a difference in the community. Unlike other auto repair shops in the northern range, they are a full service shop that includes car repair, restoration of cars, and customization of cars and motorcycles.
AdCoSMCNorth Metro Denver SBDC to host Adams County Small Business Conference
More than 70 percent of our business community is considered small business, so fostering innovation is a critical component to ensuring economic growth and prosperity in Commerce City. The North Metro Denver Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is one organization dedicated to helping these small businesses.  The North Metro SBDC has been helping new and existing businesses grow and prosper since 1989 by providing low or no-cost training programs and free and confidential consulting. The Adams County Small Business Conference will be held on Oct. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Front Range Community College Westminster Campus. Breakout topics include overtime rules, reducing risk, online marketing, capital formation and information on the new Adams County Microloan Fund. For more information or to register, click here.
HillEconomic Development Staff Member Earns Certification

Michelle Ferdig Hill has earned certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC). EDFP certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete NDC's intensive economic development finance training series. The training provides individuals working in the field of economic development with instruction in business credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating and the creation and implementation of development programs. Skills developed through the program further support her ability to analyze project needs and connect prospective and existing Commerce City businesses to financial partners to keep projects moving forward. This certification builds on Michelle's many years of experience in the banking industry and complements her current responsibilities in the Economic Development Division.  There are very few economic developers in Colorado with this certification. Congratulations, Michelle!
retailRetail Corner

Dion's Pizza Under Construction

Dion's P
izza is under construction near E. 104th Avenue and Chambers Road. The New Mexico-based chain serves made-to-order pizza, salads and subs for sit-down or take-out dining. The restaurant's opening is expected in early 2017.
spotlightCompany Spotlight

Founded in 1998, Redd Iron, Inc. is a family-owned and operated organization offering a variety of services to all facets of the steel construction industry. In addition to providing a complete turnkey product for general contractors, they also believe in offering and assisting other fabricators and steel suppliers in their quest to do the same.  Redd Iron, Inc. started with a combined 9,000 square-foot  shop and office space. After three years, they increased their footprint to 15,000 square feet of shop space and built an office building of 2,500 square feet in 2001. They are heavily involved in the community and support the welding program at the technical and trade school in the 27J School District. They create testing, donate materials, judge the school's awards program, and hire three to five high school students from this program each year.

constructionUnder Construction

New Regional Distribution Facility for the George T. Sanders Company
George T. Sanders Company, a supplier of plumbing and heating products, is building a new 76,000 square-foot regional distribution facility in the Marty Farms Industrial Center - south of E. 96th Avenue at E. 95th Place and Yosemite. This building illustrates a solution to a growing need in Commerce City for sufficient amounts of industrial building space. In the second quarter of 2016, industrial space experienced a 1.8 percent vacancy rate in the city. Other industrial projects under construction include a 42,530 square-foot expansion by Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. and a 35,000 square-foot industrial building by KEW Realty Corporation on E. 56th Avenue.

Sincerely,

 

Commerce City Economic Development Division
City of Commerce City
7887 E. 60th Ave
Phone: 303-289-3620 
Events Calendar
Startup Orientation
10 a.m. - Noon
English: Sept. 8
Spanish: Oct. 13
English: Nov. 10
Commerce City Small Business Resource Center
7270 Monaco St.
Register: click here

Adelante Community Development Workshops
9 - 10:30 a.m.
Business Technology 101: Sept. 13
Healthcare: Oct. 11
Commerce City Small Business Resource Center
7270 Monaco St.
Register: call 720-379-3815

Business Open House
Commerce City Business Alliance, CCBPA and Commerce City Economic Development Division 
Sept. 7,  5 - 7 p.m.
El Jardin Mexican Restaurant
6460 E. 73rd Ave.
Register: click here

CCBPA Hosts U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter
Sept. 16,  Noon - 2:30 p.m.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
6550 Gateway Rd.
Reserve a seat:
call 720-205-2627 or [email protected]

Making the Cut - Breakfast and Panel Discussion with National Site Selectors
Sept. 16
7 - 7:30 a.m. Registration and Networking
7:30 - 9 a.m. Breakfast and Program
Grand Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton St.

Register:  click here

Leading Edge: Business Planning Boot Camp
Oct. 6 - Nov. 3 (5 sessions)
6 - 8 p.m.
Commerce City Small Business Resource Center
7270 Monaco St.
Register:  click here

North Metro Denver SBDC - Adams County Small Business Conference
Oct. 7, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Front Range Community College - Westminster Campus
3645 W. 112th Ave.
Register:  click here
New Business Licenses

Ocean Massage