CAMT and Metro Denver EDC discuss site selection process for ACE Manufacturing and Innovation Park

The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) announced that it has received more than 30 property submittals for the Colorado Association of Manufacturing and Technology's (CAMT) proposed Aerospace and Clean Energy (ACE) Manufacturing and Innovation Park to be located in the Metro Denver region.

In December 2010, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, and Elaine Thorndike, CEO of CAMT, signed the Space Act Agreement, creating the Technology Acceleration Program (TAP). The program aims to spearhead the growth of a regional innovation cluster. The program's purpose is to shorten the time between development and production of clean energy and aerospace technologies. TAP will permit established companies and startups to leverage existing NASA and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) resources, engage in joint development projects, and help grow the region's workforce in these industries.

As part of the agreement, CAMT will partner with private sector companies to develop the ACE Park in Metro Denver, which will house up to 100 businesses interested in sharing services, equipment, and access to NASA and NREL, and other expertise and technologies. NASA will provide a Regional Innovation Ambassador to the TAP to help provide direct links to NASA and its resources. For details on the project, download the Fact Sheet below.

"This initiative is an example of a regional economic development strategy that engages communities and private industry, and leverages state and federal funding to create jobs. This national pilot program designed to accelerate introduction of new products to market focuses and builds upon Colorado's unique strengths in aerospace and clean energy," said Elaine Thorndike, CAMT CEO.

On February 2, 2011, the Metro Denver EDC distributed on CAMT's behalf two Requests for Proposal (RFPs) related to the ACE Park:

  • An RFP for an existing industrial building, minimum 100,000 square feet (300,000 to 600,000 square feet preferred), and;
  • An RFP for a Greenfield site, 200 to 400 acres, shovel ready, with freeway access.

"The Metro Denver EDC asks that everyone involved treat the CAMT ACE Manufacturing and Innovation Park site search with the respect and courtesy that every other prospect site search receives. When we conduct a site search on behalf of a prospect company, we do so in complete confidentiality," explained Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver EDC. "We have significant competition among other states for projects such as this and we need to maintain our competitive advantage."

Submittals were due by 5 p.m., Monday, February 14. To participate in the site selection process, all parties submitting properties for evaluation, as well as the Metro Denver EDC, were required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement with CAMT, assuring complete confidentiality in regard to all information related to the submittals and ongoing site selection process. The Metro Denver EDC is now assembling all submittals to ensure all requested material is included and will forward them to CAMT.

The Metro Denver EDC's standard protocol for any site selection project involving area economic developers, cities, counties, and property owners calls for total confidentiality to protect the interests of all parties involved, whether they are public, private, or nonprofit. 

CAMT leadership and its Board have assembled a team of experts to help evaluate the site proposals submitted. CAMT will make the final decision on selection of the site and any further negotiations related to the project.

CAMT's review process is anticipated to take several weeks. A public announcement will be made pending the final decision.

» ACE Manufacturing and Innovation Park (Fact Sheet)


About the Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology
The Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology (CAMT) is a statewide manufacturing assistance center dedicated to increasing the competitiveness of Colorado manufacturers. CAMT is a public/private partnership convening government, not-for-profit and industry resources to provide services and programs that make Colorado firms thrive. CAMT is the state affiliate of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program of the U.S. Dept of Commerce, providing unique access to federal and state programs. For more information, visit CAMT's website at www.camt.com.

About the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) is the nation's first and only truly regional economic development entity, bringing together over 70 cities, counties, and economic development agencies in the nine-county Metro Denver and Northern Colorado area. An affiliate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Denver EDC focuses on six areas to expand the regional economy: national marketing, new and existing business, mobility, DIA/international air travel, tax reform, and special opportunities. For more information, visit the Metro Denver EDC's websites at www.metrodenver.org and www.metrodenverGIS.org.