Economic development in Boulder is a collaboration between city staff and community partners. Recognizing the importance of a strong economy to overall quality of life, the city's economic vitality programs focus on maintaining a diverse and dynamic economy where residents and businesses grow and succeed together. Strategies reflect goals outlined in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and Sustainability, Equity and Resilience Framework to maintain a sustainable and resilient economy through:
- Fostering an environment for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship
- Supporting a wide range of businesses and industries
- Cultivating a skilled and diverse workforce
- Advancing financial security, economic opportunity and social equity for all
Economic Vitality Services
The city supports economic sustainability in alignment with community goals by:
- Providing information and connections to resources
- Serving as a primary point of contact for businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs
- Monitoring business, industry and economic trends
- Developing and implementing business retention, retail and other economic vitality strategies
- Managing business incentive and financial assistance programs
- Cultivating strategic partnerships for redevelopment and revitalization
- Participating in local, regional and state economic initiatives
- Contributing insight and perspective in policy discussions
Business Information and Assistance
Information about resources and programs available to Boulder businesses includes:
Economic Vitality Initiatives
City initiatives that support economic sustainability, resilience and equity include:
- Affordable Commercial programs to address rising commercial occupancy costs
- Citywide Retail Project to pursue retail-related goals of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan
- COVID-19 Business Impact Studies on the pandemic's impact on local businesses
- COVID-19 Small Business programs including grants to small businesses and nonprofits
- Downtown Retail Vibrancy Study to identify opportunities for enhancing retail in downtown Boulder
- Primary Employer Study and other research to gain insight into business needs and challenges
- Research to identify opportunities for enhancing support for small businesses
More information can be found in related documents listed below.
Economic Development Plan & Program Enhancements
The Economic Development Plan & Program Enhancements project will support 2024-2025 City Council priorities related to economic vitality and will be focused on updating the city’s Economic Vitality Strategy, addressing commercial vacancies, broadening small business support, and exploring new tools to support business formation, retention, expansion and attraction.
An updated Economic Vitality Strategy (EVS) will provide city leaders and community partners with a current understanding of economic and market conditions and outline a collaborative approach to supporting a healthy and resilient economy as we emerge from the pandemic. The EVS will focus on addressing key challenges while building on economic strengths and leveraging emerging opportunities in alignment with the Citywide Strategic Plan (CSP), Sustainability, Equity and Resilience Framework (SER) and other city plans and strategies as well as the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (BVCP). To maximize efficiency, the EVS will make use of research studies and public engagement for related projects including BVCP updates.
Watch the recorded Community and Council Forum discussing beginning phases of the Economic Development Plan and Program Enhancements.
The healthy lifestyle (we take lunch hour mountain bike rides in Valmont Bike Park), the beautiful scenery, and the environmental stance of the community not only created the ideal atmosphere for HEAD employees, it matches the ethos of HEAD as a company. Our employees are happier, the environment is blossoming, and our business is booming since we moved to Boulder.
- Kevin Kempin, President & CEO of HEAD North America
