Economic Development

Golden Run is highly focused on using its design and the benefits it provides to demonstrate the advantages it offers over other projects.  These advantages and benefits will attract as well as independently generate substantial Economic Development activity for the community and throughout Erie.  The design and implementation of Golden Run will attract considerable local, regional, national and international interest as well as contribute towards creating a significant community population which, in turn, will drive considerable economic activity which will provide benefits throughout the municipality.  Below is a list of some of the economic components of the project along with anticipated benefits.  Golden Run will…


  1. Create a long-term, sustainable Economic Development engine for Erie.

  2. Specifically provide the critical mass necessary to make the County Line Road Corridor Erie’s own internal Economic Core.

  3. Create a location for a major employment base by making Golden Run an attractive Employment Center.

  4. Focus on demographics which promote Economic Prosperity for the entire Town (e.g., mature citizens with relatively high disposable incomes and minimal public service impacts).

  5. Offer a design and community which becomes a national & international attraction

  6. Take advantage of the fact the entire project is within the award-winning Boulder Valley School District.

  7. Establish close relationships with major academic, scientific, and other research organizations such as the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Denver, Front Range Community College, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Collaboratory, the Center for the New Energy Economy, private colleges and universities, vocational schools, and many other entities which may elect to partner with Golden Run or even have an on-site presence.

  8. Include a Transit Center for Golden Run and other neighborhoods in Erie --- all done in conjunction with the Regional Transportation District.

  9. Place a major emphasis on fitness, sports, nutrition, wellness & health with plans for Olympic-level  training facilities to accommodate training for multiple sports (note:  the Boulder Valley Velodrome, which can accommodate Olympic level training and events is located adjacent to the northeast corner of Golden Run).

  10. Provide space for educational and municipal services and, if desired, separate educational and municipal buildings.

  11. Coordinate its efforts with surrounding businesses and operations (including the Erie Airport) to maximize the economic development opportunities for the entire community.

  12. Have a population base and significant planned growth which will be designed to create the critical mass, at different points in time, for…

  13. The development and expansion of a variety of local, regional, and national retail operations via neighborhood and larger shopping centers as well as boutique retail enclaves placed strategically across the community.

  14. Prospects seeking locations for regional and national headquarters operations.

  15. A mid-size grocery store (e.g., +/-25,000 sq. ft.) and ultimately a major grocery store (>50,000 sq. ft.).  (The annexation of Golden Run may be sufficient to convince current prospects in Erie to begin construction of a grocery store elsewhere on County Line Road.)

  16. A Regional Business Incubator for 25 and then up to 100 businesses at a time.

  17. A Business Support Center, in conjunction with the Erie Chamber of Commerce and other economic development organizations, to assist established businesses with significant growth potential.

  18. Local, regional, and national (including high-end) restaurants and other dining options.

  19. Creation of local, regional, and national sports, fitness, wellness, and health businesses & organizations.

  20. A regional Conference Center and meeting facility.

  21. One or more hotels, possibly including major national chains.

  22. The development of opportunities for the construction of churches, temples, synagogues, and other faith-related buildings and facilities.

  23. The inclusion of mid-range medical facilities (i.e., +/- 25,000 sq. ft. each), one or more major medical facilities (i.e., >50,000 sq. ft.), and ultimately a regional medical facility (i.e., >100,000 sq. ft.).

  24. An initial movie theater complex (i.e., 2 to 4 screens) and eventually a large movie theater large complex (i.e., 10 to 16 screens)

  25. A viable Arts District with a view towards creation on-site of the East County Performing Arts and/or Entertainment Center(and possibly a regional, corporate-sponsored Performing Arts and Entertainment Center.

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