Economic Developers Council of Colorado Announce Annual Awards.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1999--The Economic Developers Council of Colorado (EDCC), at its annual meeting held today (Wednesday, April 7 at Denver's Brown Palace Hotel) announced its 1998 winners for economic development achievement.

These were the award winners:

o Small Community of the Year - Bent County

"The Bent County Development Foundation has been actively involved in diversifying the local economy and encouraging the growth of jobs and capital investment. In 1989 Bent County's assessed valuation was $29,482,500 and falling. Ten years later their assessed valuation has risen to $39,830,970 and is projected to increase."

o Large Community of the Year - Aurora 

"Aurora has done an outstanding job in overcoming the loss of important job producing entities. Former U.S. military sites are being recycled into productive economic bases. In addition the city has made major infrastructure improvements."

o Legislator of the Year - Ronald J. Teck

"He has focused on major tax reform and has indicated a thorough knowledge of the problems inherent in the present Colorado tax structure. He has indicated that Colorado needs a strategic tax policy which encourages, not discourages, capital investment and primary job creation."

o Economic Developer of the Year - Tom Clark 

"Part of Colorado's economic development community since 1982, he is the president of Jefferson Economic Council. In 1998, JEC was involved in creating and/or retaining 1,725 primary jobs. He has been a leader in almost every aspect of Colorado economic development. He had an outstanding tenure at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce where he helped create the Metro Denver Network and worked on the successful creation of Denver International Airport, the Denver Convention Center and Coors Field. Chairman of the Metro Denver Network Professionals Council, he has been a thoughtful leader in creating cooperation between the economic development community, private industry and government."

o Business of the Year - Sun Microsystems 

"Sun Microsystems has been a major contributor to the growth of Broomfield and the entire Highway 36 corridor between Boulder and Denver. Its first Phase I building of 575,000 square feet was completed in 1998 and another 575,000-square-foot building is now under construction. Sun Microsystems projects that its current 1,700 person workforce will grow to 4,000 with completion of the two campuses. A high technology leader, Sun Microsystems has brought important, high-paying jobs to Colorado. Its employees have been active members of business and civic associations making important contributions to their communities and to the State."