The Economic Scan evaluates the current state of affairs in Commerce City in areas that are most critical to business and industry growth and job creation. Using data that was provided by the City of Commerce City, regional partners, or collected independently by AngelouEconomics, this report allows us to take a step back and evaluate trends, data, and businesses’ and residents’ perceptions of the community.  This report assesses the City’s current economic situation and the trends that have shaped it. Specifically, we evaluate its readiness to attract and direct future economic development.  We analyze the community in a range of economic and demographic variables by comparing it against a group of national benchmark communities.

The process of honestly assessing the positive and negative aspects of the business and economic climate in Commerce City through our SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) Analysis is an important component of this entire economic development planning process.  It allows the City to make a clear-eyed appraisal of those characteristics that can be used to build the economy and those that it will have to acknowledge or overcome to make economic development efforts successful.  This process is not intended in any way to serve as a vehicle to simply criticize, nor does it place blame.  That is counter-productive.  Rather, the process of issue identification and SWOT summary gives us a realistic inventory of assets or limitations that we can use to develop realistic, effective recommendations.

Operation Commerce: Economic Scan of Commerce City - report (5 MB)
Operation Commerce: Economic Scan of Commerce City - presentation (1 MB)

Using the Economic Scan report as its foundation, this Target Industry Analysis examines the industry clusters that represent the strongest target opportunities for Commerce City – those that create long-term, sustainable high-wage jobs. The report provides in-depth analysis on each of five target industries identified for Commerce City. Additionally, we define the industry and niches, outline national and local industry growth trends, identify local assets and challenges in supporting the target industry, and discuss location criteria and industry requirements.

Importantly, this document is not meant to be an exhaustive analysis of Commerce City’s strengths in the target industries, but rather is intended to inform the city of the trends, nuances, and location criteria of the industries in order to better position it to recruit and retain companies within the target industries.

Operation Commerce: Target Industry Analysis - report (1 MB)
Operation Commerce:Target Industry Analysis - presentation (1 MB)

The Economic Scan and Target Industry Analysis reports shed light on several of Commerce City’s greatest economic strengths including a rapidly expanding and increasingly capable workforce and a strategic location astride major transportation corridors and adjacent to one of the largest airports in the United States.

The Commerce City Action Plan comprises a set of strategies that capitalize upon these unique strengths. It sets a framework for connecting, networking and leveraging important economic development, education, workforce and industry assets to attract new employers, strengthen existing companies, encourage entrepreneurship and foster community collaboration all while making the region more competitive for industries.

This action plan focuses on four core strategy areas:

• Carry out a targeted marketing and business development program
• Expand support to existing businesses and entrepreneurs
• Help put appropriate real estate options and infrastructure in place
• Elevate educational and technical training skills

Operation Commerce: Action Plan - report (1.2 MB)
Operation Commerce: Final Recommendations - presentation (1.2 MB)

If you have any comments, please direct them to Meredith Bossin at mbossin@angeloueconomics.com.