SEBP Survey: Companies Employing More People Than 3 Years Ago

The Grange Cultural Arts Facility
The Meadows
3692 Meadows Blvd.
Castle Rock, Colorado 80109
Get more info.

Jobs Available as Companies Relocate Workforce to South-Metro Employment Center

CASTLE ROCK, Colo., June 8, 2009– Castle Rock Development Company, developer of The Meadows, in conjunction with the Southeast Business Partnership, the economic development leader for South Metro Denver, today announced the results of an economic survey exploring current business conditions in the Southeast Business Corridor. The survey indicates that while the employment center has been affected by the downturn, the number of jobs in the corridor demonstrates it is more resistant to the recession than other economic centers in the nation.

42 percent of companies surveyed report employing more workers as compared to three years ago, indicating that while Colorado has been shedding jobs in the previous year, the Southeast Business Corridor remains a robust employer. Additionally, the healthcare and health service companies surveyed reported 77 unfilled positions in the area at the time of the survey, more than any other industry.

 “The survey results just go to show that there are pockets of relative economic strength—especially here in Colorado where we’ve come out of this better than most, and specifically in an area that’s booming with health care employers,” said Jim Riley, president of Castle Rock Development Company. “The survey results point to a relatively strong employment center in close proximity to The Meadows; the strength in that area is good for Colorado real estate and has specifically contributed to our community leading the Denver metro area in new home sales.”

The Southeast Business Partnership took a leading role in working with companies relocating and expanding in the South Metro Denver region, including:
• Charles Schwab  - the financial services corporation is bringing 500 jobs to the Inverness Business Park
• Comcast - the communications company recently completed a new data center in Centennial. The new facility will employ 60 workers, bringing the total number of Comcast employees in Arapahoe County to more than 3,500.
• GEVO - the alternate energy company is relocating its corporate headquarters from Southern California to Douglas County, bringing 50 employees to the area
• Oncure Medical Corporation - the national network of cancer treatment centers is relocating its corporate headquarters and 45 employees from Newport Beach, California to Arapahoe County
• Pulte Mortgage, LLC – the mortgage banking company is building a new corporate headquarters in Arapahoe County
• TriZetto - the healthcare technology solutions provider is adding 200 new jobs in Greenwood Village

“Health care services is a booming industry in the Southeast Business Corridor,” said Lynn Myers, director of economic development for Southeast Business Partners. “But, we’re adding jobs across the board in all industries. We’re ahead of the curve compared to much of the country, and I believe we’re poised for a strong recovery when the economy picks up speed.”

About the Survey
In March 2009, RRC Associates, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm providing market research and strategic analysis, conducted an internet-based survey of businesses in the Southeast Business Corridor on behalf of Castle Rock Development Company and the Southeast Business Partnership.

A total of 186 surveys were circulated of which 33 were completed, a response rate of approximately 18 percent.

The types of businesses represented in the survey included a wide range of industries, including real estate/property management (25 percent of the total responding businesses), construction and health care (16 percent each) and finance and insurance (6 percent). Together, the responding businesses employ approximately 6,787 employees of whom 5,819 are full time and 968 (about 14 percent) are part time.

About The Meadows at Historic Castle RockTM
An extension of historic downtown Castle Rock, The Meadows master-planned community sits lightly on the land with some of the most stunning views of ridgelines and vistas in Colorado. The community offers 1,100 acres of public land including parks, schools, open spaces and more than 24 miles of trails, including more than seven miles of natural trails. The “Out West” experience that comes from being nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains is balanced by being only a short commute from the Denver Tech Center and downtown Denver. Seven homebuilders offer new homes ranging in price from the mid $100,000s to the mid $500,000s.

For more information about The Meadows, visit www.MeadowsCastleRock.com.

###

Media Contact
Jason Jansky
Downing Street Communications, LLC
(303) 748-3300
jason@downingstreetcommunications.com