Spring Rolling into Summer…
It is funny to me that, on paper, much of our economy is really moving in a good direction. BUT (there is always that BUT), that swing-and-a-miss Leeds Report shows the C-suite is not as positive as in previous quarters. Consumer confidence is declining, there are more houses on the market since 2013, and many office buildings are still see-through. Sounds to me like treading water in the swimming pool, or maybe a really long seventh-inning stretch.
The good thing about Boulder is there are ALWAYS reasons to celebrate (and I did mention hope above), so here it goes: Elevate Quantum, of which CU is a key partner, announced that it has received a Tech Hub Phase 2 implementation award from the Department of Commerce, unlocking more than $127 million in new federal and state funding. This award is expected to drive more than $2 billion in additional private capital and solidify the Mountain West as a global leader for quantum innovation. Elevate Quantum is one of 31 regional tech hubs out of 400 applicants. Boulder has had leadership at the table, and this makes perfect sense for Colorado and Boulder specifically, with our existing quantum talent and companies. We have experienced the tech and life science impact; now we will get to experience the quantum impact, which could be a much-needed boost to our stagnant office market. This is certainly like getting runners on all the bases waiting for a grand slam.
While on the subject of Boulder’s leadership, the Chamber did not support shutting down the airport, as many supporters wanted to see this as future housing opportunities. Hopefully the City will consider the Area 3 Planning Reserve, which is 493 acres near the Gateway Fun Center off Jay Road and Diagonal. The parcel needs City services and cooperation with other owners, but this seems like a no-brainer to me since I am personally frustrated with the city council (current and former) saying we need affordable housing but hardly making a dent. In particular, our teachers, firefighters, and police need the opportunity to live here as they are a critical piece of this community. This is the first time Area 3 has started to gain some traction… easily a single or double, which yields hope.
Our startup community once again shines bright. CU hosted the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit with keynote speaker Ryan Holiday, the “Daily Stoic” and bestselling author. I love all his work, especially “Stillness Is The Key.” The Summit is about scaling business without sacrificing themselves. It was a really cool event and an important topic hosted in our backyard. We participated in this year’s Boulder Startup Week and had the pleasure of interviewing GeoSure Global. It once again reminded me of all the amazing companies that take their first steps right here and how many go on to make big global impacts. The entrepreneurial spirit is one of Boulder’s resilient communities that always provides hope… Kind of like getting at least one or two hits every inning.
Pfizer, unfortunately, decided to leave Boulder, but when one door closes, another one opens. I can’t wait to see which company lands here next because of quantum, or smart scientists, or our university, or our mountains, or our bike trails, or our 360 days of sunshine, or our amazing culinary options, or… you name it. Living and working in Boulder, there are always great reasons why we see hope heading into the second half of 2024. Pfizer might be viewed as a strikeout, but to me, it’s next batter up. There are plenty of big hitters waiting for the right pitch.
If you have not toured all our wonderful ice cream options in Boulder, I strongly encourage you to take a stroll through Chautauqua and stop at the general store for some ice cream. It kind of makes you feel like a kid again after experiencing that first home run.
-Becky Callan Gamble, CEO