CASTLE ROCK – The Castle Rock Economic Development office and the Town of Castle Rock recently received three prestigious awards from the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC): Economic Development Partnership of the Year; Large Community of the Year and the Economic Development Achievement Award.
The Castle Rock “Collaboration Campus” was awarded the Economic Development Partnership of the Year. The Collaboration Campus is the result of a collaboration that includes Arapahoe Community College (ACC), Colorado State University (CSU) and the Douglas County School District (DCSD) and the Town of Castle Rock that resulted in a $3 million infrastructure reimbursement to construct the campus in the rapidly growing Castle Rock community. The investment has brought together education, business, and the community to create a unique resource for delivering seamless education and workforce training to Castle Rock.
In addition to the Partnership of the Year award, the Town of Castle Rock also won Large Community of the year for Economic Development Excellence. It is the fourth time in the last seven years Castle Rock has been the recipient of this award. Additionally, Frank Gray, president and CEO of the Castle Rock EDC received the Economic Development Achievement Award for his role in the bringing new business and innovative ideas to Castle Rock. All three awards were presented on October 25 at the EDCC annual conference in Estes Park.
“Our residents and our business community in Castle Rock are excited for this project as great economic development is about building strong infrastructure that includes digital, entrepreneurial, physical and educational infrastructure. Colorado communities create great job opportunities when they invest in their long-term infrastructure” said Frank Gray, CEO of Castle Rock Economic Development. “The award for the Collaboration Campus just highlights how many partnerships had to come together to make this work. Specifically, it provides Castle Rock a more sustainable ‘workforce pipeline’ to both existing and potential companies. Educational infrastructure is an essential component in our strategic plan to attract and retain primary employers. We are honored to get the recognition as we work to make Castle Rock a world class standalone community.”
Educational partners CSU and DCSD will articulate with ACC to create a smooth pathway from high school diploma to associate degree to bachelor’s degree. ACC will continue its commitment to education in the Castle Rock Community by building a $40 million campus on a 14-acre site in the Meadows. This two-phase project will consist of 2 buildings of 54,000 square feet each, with an estimated opening of phase one in the fall of 2019.
The $3 million infrastructure reimbursements from the Castle Rock Town Council will assist ACC with building permits and fees, and land site improvements. The campus plans to engage the business community to provide co-working and maker spaces as well as access to a 3D printing lab to create interaction between the community.
ACC will provide the collaborative educational infrastructure by leasing space to partners CSU and DCSD. Together the campus will offer a world-class education, close to home, and at an affordable price point. The Castle Rock Collaboration Campus will provide local business with expertise, resources, and skilled workers through training, hands-on project work, internships, mentorship and clinical activities.
