Recent Announcements - Expand & Relocate
Friendly Confines Beckon Security Firm
In Brighton, Colo., airtight security is the name of the game. Russell Pilcher, CEO of Sierra Detention Systems, says his firm conducted a detailed site search within a 100-mile (161-km.) radius of its previous home in Jefferson County before selecting Brighton. “Adams County and Brighton stood out as the friendliest of all the communities we looked at in Colorado,” says Pilcher. “One of the prime considerations was the cost of building the facility in Brighton was much lower than in surrounding communities. Taxes were much lower too. We also liked the stable work force with a very strong work ethic. We found all of that in Brighton. There is a tremendous sense of community here.” Pilcher expects about 60 people will move into Sierra’s new 38,000-sq.-ft. (3,530-sq.-m.) headquarters at 1177 South Fourth Street in Brighton. The capital investment of just over $5 million sits on a 6-acre (2.4-hectare) site. “We are only taking up two acres, so we have plenty of room for future expansion,” Pilcher says. “We qualified for new jobs credits and a reduced property tax for a given amount of time,” he adds. “There may be additional job credits from the federal government through a new federal jobs program. In addition, the city and the county endorsed our industrial revenue bond, which qualified us for a lower financing rate. It is one thing to be attracted to a community because it has what you need to do business. But it is another thing to be happy there because they delivered what they promised, and that is another reason we are so excited to be here.” Ray Gonzalez, president of the Brighton Economic Development Corporation, says his community is also welcoming $300 million in capital investments from Vestas Wind Systems. The company’s two manufacturing plants on 200 acres (81 hectares) will bring up to 2,000 jobs to the city, he notes. “Our transportation assets were ideal for them to do business here,” Gonzalez says of the wind turbine manufacturer from Denmark. “Our rails and highways are ideal for logistics purposes. Also, the cost of land is much cheaper here. So is the cost of housing and the cost of living. And we are only 15 minutes from the airport and only 20 minutes from downtown Denver.” May 2011, Site Selection Magazine.
Kaiser Permanente Opens in Brighton
Kaiser Permanente recently purchased and made improvements to the Gateway Building at 859 4th Avenue. In August 2011, they opened a medical office to service the needs of Brighton and the Northeast Metro Denver Region. The 27,860 square foot facility houses 24 employees providing primary healthcare pharmaceutical and optometry services. More services and jobs are anticipated.
The Energy Corridor Along Highway 85 in Brighton is Booming
The Niobrara Shale Oil Play continues to attract energy leaders. Two Houston-based oil and gas service companies, Select Energy Services and Baker Hughes, recently signed lease agreements in fall 2011 in north Brighton.
