SUCCESS STORIES ALONG THE NORTHERN FRONT RANGE.

James Michener fell in love with northern Colorado. Such inspiration....the hauntingly vast plains framed by amethyst peaks and the people who gave the land its true color and character. The American novelist spent years researching northern Colorado, later penning a 900-page saga that would become the bestseller, Centennial. Michener's story captures the imagination. And so does northern Colorado, a success story that goes on and on.

Of course, fur trapping along Poudre River ceased long ago and ranches have been converted into urbanized settlements. But the region remains revered for its colorful history, beautiful landscapes and adventuresome people. Today, superb educational opportunities join forces with financial resources and a dynamic entrepreneurial climate to create an exceptional environment for doing business.

Take, for example, Centennial Bank of the West, which exemplifies small business success in northern Colorado. Locally owned by a committed group of investors, the bank has enjoyed tremendous growth based on several key factors: confidence in the long-term growth of northern Colorado, commitment to the community and a desire to serve customers with excellence.

The City of Fort Collins, meanwhile, finds itself frequently recognized as one of the nation's most livable cities and a favorite locale for retirees. The wide tree-lined boulevards and historical architecture maintain the charm of a bygone era, while Colorado State University focuses on providing cutting-edge education and technology for generations to come. As such, the College of Business delivers an outstanding MBA program and a pool of talented graduates who want contribute to the area's long-standing success. "Northern Colorado has a bright future," says Roland Mower, who along with Carol Garton, heads up the newly formed Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp.

Across Interstate 25 in Greeley, Ron Klaphake, president and CEO of the Greeley-Weld County Economic Development Action Partnership, is also gung-ho about the area's future. "Weld County has seen an enormous amount of housing starts because the land is cheaper east of I-25," says Klaphake. "Areas around Erie and Firestone are exploding with residential and business growth."

Economic diversity, which includes everything from traditional agricultural-based businesses to cyberspace-based 'newfangled' technologies, has allowed northern Colorado to maintain a "real positive and steady business climate," Garton notes, even as a nationwide recession looms on the horizon.

The trio of eco-devo experts are quick to tout recent business highlights, including new construction on the campuses of Anheiser Busch, Hewlett-Packard and Advanced Energy. In Greeley, State Farm Insurance is putting the finishing touches on its regional headquarters on the western edge of the city. Food processing giant, Con Agra will build its administrative complex nearby.

In Loveland, Centerra, a unique mix of retail, commercial and residential uses, is enticing companies from the crowded Longmont-Boulder corridor. The development is the visionary work of McWhinney Enterprises and the McWhinney family, who have lived in Northern Colorado for generations. Because of their commitment to excellence, McWhinney has partnered with McStain Enterprises, an awardwinning builder that received the Colorado 2000 Ethics in Business award. "We are really promoting the area around I-25 and Highway 34 to high-tech businesses," says Garton, who believes the Centerra development, is spawning other exciting projects nearby. On the pages that follow, ColoradoBiz provides more detailed information on some of these success stories along the Northern Front Range.