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Record of Proceedings

Economic Development Commission Business Meeting - July 9, 2026

City Council & Boards — Thursday, July 9, 2026
BodyGolden, Colorado
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateThursday, July 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 57:34

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:18

Alright, great.

0:20

Do approval of the agenda.

0:22

And anyone like to make a move?

0:25

Oh, there we go.

0:26

Second.

0:27

All in favor?

0:28

Aye.

0:29

Aye.

0:29

Anyone opposed?

0:31

Okay.

0:32

Approval of the June meeting minutes.

0:37

I move that we approve the June meeting minutes.

0:41

Second.

0:42

All in favor?

0:43

Aye.

0:43

Aye.

0:44

Opposed.

0:47

Okay.

0:49

We do not have any public comments this month.

0:53

So we'll move uh into discussion and action items.

0:59

Great.

1:02

The first of which is kind of an interesting one.

1:07

Jen came to us from Connect's workspace.

1:09

She has locations in both the DDA and Gura.

1:14

However, um DDA and Gura have not explicitly made portable backup power a part of their grant programs.

1:22

And so she's come to us with a relatively modest ask of $839 so that she could buy a backup battery for both locations for her internet.

1:42

Despite the her being in both of those areas, this is a thing that's not attached to physical infrastructure, so it fits this grant program slightly better.

1:51

So I just wanted to bring this to you all and let you know that this part this came across our desk and that I uh thought that it fit best with this program because it does not qualify for the other two.

2:03

We could split it.

2:04

It seems like a small amount to split.

2:06

Absolutely.

2:06

Yeah, let's keep the administrative burden small.

2:11

Thank you.

2:12

Um that's that's where we're at.

2:14

Um the applications complete, it's very straightforward.

2:18

Um I expect recommended approval of that.

2:21

And when you look at the number of businesses that are at Connects, I mean it's like it's not just one business, it's like multiple different businesses that would be impacted in a positive way.

2:32

So that seems like a good good use of the grant funds.

2:36

Do the applications say what the total amount of the project was?

2:39

I'm curious.

2:40

That was double that.

2:40

Okay, so it's 50%.

2:42

Sounds like an equal flow to me.

2:44

Exactly.

2:45

That's exactly that.

2:45

Yeah.

2:46

They're on sale.

2:49

Well, of course, I have no problem with the money part of it.

2:51

It's just that are we breaking any rules part of it?

2:54

Is it beyond our scope of our charter to give money that's not?

2:57

No, because you all you all voted previously to expand the grant program for explicitly this purpose.

3:03

Oh no, I just meant outside the scope of since DDA and Gura really have that jurisdiction.

3:11

Are we bending any rules by going outside of our jurisdiction here?

3:15

Uh EDCOM has the umbrella jurisdiction.

3:17

So that's the biggest.

3:19

I thought we were excluded from that's what I was told.

3:23

So that's not our, you know, don't go to Washington Street, that's not you guys, right?

3:28

I think for these other programs where you have competing interests, right?

3:32

If it's a if it's a uh uh sound improvement grant or if it's a professional services grant, then I think you have this jurisdictional question, and because DDA and Gura have more funding um and they are they have a grant program that's more that that accepts the same thing, we would defer to them in that case.

3:50

In this case, it does not fit their grant program.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development██████████████████████████████████34%
Community Engagement████████████████████20%
Urban Renewal█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Grants Management█████████9%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Economic Development Commission Business Meeting - July 9, 2026

The Golden Economic Development Commission (EDComm) held its regular business meeting on July 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The commission approved a small grant for Connects Workspace, discussed the Makerspace Feasibility Study and formed a subcommittee to select a consultant, and learned that the Business Advisor Program would be delayed to 2028. Staff reported on Q1 2026 tax revenues, business retention activities, and updates from partner boards.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the meeting agenda and the June 11, 2026, meeting minutes unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were received.

Discussion Items

  • Grant Application – Connects Workspace Backup Power Systems: Staff recommended approval of a $839 grant for portable battery backups at Connects Workspace’s two locations. Commissioners discussed jurisdictional questions (sites are in DDA/GURA areas) but concluded the request fits the EdComm Grant Program since DDA/GURA do not cover portable systems. The grant was approved unanimously.
  • Makerspace Feasibility Study RFP Udpate: Staff received three proposals; one firm withdrew due to capacity. Commissioners shared observations from a site visit to Clear Creek Makerspace, emphasizing the need for a demand analysis and gap analysis for Jefferson County. A three-member ad-hoc subcommittee (including Commissioner Edmond Toy and two others) was formed by motion to evaluate the remaining proposals and present a recommendation at the next meeting.
  • Business Advisor Program Update: Staff reported that the program partner, Traxion, cannot launch the Business Mentorship Program in 2027 due to new consulting commitments. The program is now targeted for 2028. Commissioners agreed to keep options open for alternative partnerships.

Staff Reports

  • 2026 Budget: The budget is up-to-date; digital resources line exceeded due to D-to-EPS costs, and staff is negotiating cost-sharing with the General Fund.n- Business Retention & Economic Development: Staff engaged with 12+ businesses directly in the past month. The SBDC is exploring hosting its “Trout Tank” business competition in Golden. Staff submitted three census tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation. The Economic Contribution Study update is pending, with InPlan data pricing challenges.
  • Sales, Use, and Lodging Tax Reports (Q1 2026): Sales tax grew3.45% year-over-year. Use tax declined11.07% (attrubuted to the record-high 2025). Lodging tax fell5.5% and is$20,512 below budget. Marijuana tax exceeded budget by$54,114. Overall city revenues are 1% above projections.
  • Communications/Other Boards: DDA is funding paver replacement and working on power line undergrounding. GURA is preparing for City Council adoption of the Nazarene Plan Area on July14. The Community Marketing Committee launched “Golden Hour Mashup,” a locals night out for Aug-Oct.

Other Updatesn- Commissioner Atkins applauded staff for early budget advocacy.n- A discussion on the state‑led redevelopment of the Lookout Juvenile School site occurred; a developer team has been awarded a contract for ~340 housing units with affordable components.

Key Outcomes

  • Grant approved for Connects Workspace ($839) – unanimous.
  • Makerspace Feasibility Study subcomittee formed (3 members) to review proposals and recommend a consultant.
  • Business Advisor Program delayed to 2028; staff will continue dialogue with Traxion and explore alternatives.
  • The comission noted the Q1 tax report and received other staff updates without formal action.
  • Meeting adjournded at 7:27 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Alright, great. Do approval of the agenda. And anyone like to make a move? Oh, there we go. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Okay. Approval of the June meeting minutes. I move that we approve the June meeting minutes. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed. Okay. We do not have any public comments this month. So we'll move uh into discussion and action items. Great. The first of which is kind of an interesting one. Jen came to us from Connect's workspace. She has locations in both the DDA and Gura. However, um DDA and Gura have not explicitly made portable backup power a part of their grant programs. And so she's come to us with a relatively modest ask of $839 so that she could buy a backup battery for both locations for her internet. Despite the her being in both of those areas, this is a thing that's not attached to physical infrastructure, so it fits this grant program slightly better. So I just wanted to bring this to you all and let you know that this part this came across our desk and that I uh thought that it fit best with this program because it does not qualify for the other two. We could split it. It seems like a small amount to split. Absolutely. Yeah, let's keep the administrative burden small. Thank you. Um that's that's where we're at. Um the applications complete, it's very straightforward. Um I expect recommended approval of that. And when you look at the number of businesses that are at Connects, I mean it's like it's not just one business, it's like multiple different businesses that would be impacted in a positive way. So that seems like a good good use of the grant funds. Do the applications say what the total amount of the project was? I'm curious. That was double that. Okay, so it's 50%. Sounds like an equal flow to me. Exactly. That's exactly that. Yeah. They're on sale. Well, of course, I have no problem with the money part of it. It's just that are we breaking any rules part of it? Is it beyond our scope of our charter to give money that's not?

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