A County of Growing Opportunity
“Adams County is No. 3 in the nation for fastest job growth (at 6.4%).”—2014 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) projects Adams County to be the fastest growing county in Colorado over the next twenty years in both population and employment. This projection is made in part because Adams County benefits directly from four of the five billion dollar projects in Colorado—Fitzsimmons Redevelopment, e-470 toll way, proximity to Denver International Airport, and FasTracks. In addition, Adams County has an abundance of available, affordable land ripe for development.
Adams County is located at the northeastern quadrant of the Denver metropolitan area and covers over 1,100 square miles of land. It includes the cities of Arvada, Aurora, Bennett, Brighton, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton, Westminster and a substantial unincorporated area.
Taking advantage of strategic location, pro-business climate and skilled workforce are companies like Ascent Solar Technologies, Avaya, Boeing, Cooper Lighting, General Electric/PrimeStar Solar, and General Motors.
Ask yourself: Is Adams County poised to embrace this rapid growth in infrastructure, workforce, and population? Is enough of our future workforce, today’s students, equipped to prosper in a highly competitive local job market?
What is each one of us doing to contribute?
To better answer this query and comprehend the reason for ACEC’s work, it helps to understand the socioeconomics and demographics of Adams County compared to Colorado as a whole, and how existing factors in the county will influence the future economic vitality of this region.
ADAMS COUNTY YOUTH FACTS:
Graduation Rates:
- 30% of Adams County students are not graduating on time and Adams County is behind the state of CO in overall graduation rates.
- The annual Lost Potential Earnings to the state of Colorado for Adams County non-graduates is $5,860,080.00—Colorado Children’s Campaign
- Over the course of a lifetime, the loss in earning potential between a non-graduate and a student who goes on to finish college is $1.1 million—U.S. Census Bureau
Food for thought: How are the Children? Many villages measure the health of their village by the health and wellness of their village children. If the children aren’t well, it is said to be a reflection that the village itself is not prospering.
Business and Education must work together to advance the future workforce of our county and this region.
