Aurora Economic Development Council

04/30/2026

Today, Aurora EDC attended and was proud to be one of the Salutatorian Sponsors for the Community College of Aurora Foundation Luncheon—College Beyond Walls! This year’s event brought the community together, with over 500 attendees celebrating the success and impact of the Community College of Aurora.

Special thanks to Dr. Mordecai Brownlee Brownlee, President of the Community College of Aurora; John Wolfkill, Executive Director of the Community College of Aurora Foundation; Katlynn Del Dotto, Senior Director of Development at the CCA Foundation; Courtney Kronschnabel, Donor Engagement Manager at the CCA Foundation; Britt Davis, Scholarship & Donor Impact Coordinator at the CCA Foundation; and all the CCA staff who helped put together such a great event.

04/17/2026

The 70th Annual Aurora Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet brought great energy, celebration, and a little retro fun with its 70s-themed night - including a lively round of Family Feud!

Aurora EDC was proud to be the Mixtape & Martinis sponsor.

Congratulations to David Patterson and Falck on being named the 2025 Business of the Year!

04/16/2026

“Great projects require strong partnerships.” - Wendy Mitchell

That mindset is on full display as Philip Morris International U.S. moves forward with its $600M Aurora facility - pushing construction ahead while plans evolve.

A reminder that transformative projects aren’t built in isolation - they’re built through alignment, trust, and collaboration across public and private partners.

Read more: https://www.areadevelopment.com/construction-project-planning/q1-2026/phillip-morris-international-starting-building-before-plans-.shtml

How a factory went from an idea to operational in about two years.

04/16/2026

Aurora EDC was proud to attend alongside the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and Front Range partners at the Colorado booth, highlighting the critical role aerospace plays in Colorado’s economy and innovation ecosystem.

This year’s symposium highlighted key industry priorities, including the Artemis program, the expanding role of AI in space operations, and the importance of developing a strong workforce to support the next generation of aerospace innovation.

Colorado continues to be a global leader in aerospace, and Aurora is proud to be part of the collaborative effort driving innovation, national security, and economic growth across the state.

04/10/2026

Exciting news!

RK Industries has successfully moved its headquarters to Aurora - a major investment in the future of Colorado’s economy.

The new facility will bring multiple divisions together under one roof, supporting 1,200 jobs in its first year and expected to create more than 1,800 jobs over the next eight years. It is a powerful example of how local partnerships, workforce development, and a strong business climate can drive meaningful growth.

Aurora continues to attract industry leaders, and this move reinforces its role as a key hub for construction, manufacturing, and innovation.

Read more: https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2026/04/08/rk-industries-aurora-headquarters-relocation-cre.html

The company previously planned to create 1,800 jobs over a period of eight years but has since accelerated that to 1,200 new jobs in the first year.

03/16/2026

Aurora EDC staff participated in Colorado Aerospace Day at the Capitol today, an event that celebrates and advances Colorado’s thriving aerospace ecosystem. Today brought together industry leaders, educators, policymakers, and advocates to highlight innovation, national security, workforce development, and the substantial economic impact of Colorado’s aerospace sector.

Aurora is home to a growing network of aerospace and defense organizations, with companies such as Innovus and Westway Services Group LLC building and developing SCIF space. Aurora is uniquely positioned to accommodate the growth and importance of the Aerospace & Defense industry.

Aim High in Aurora!

03/13/2026

Today, Aurora EDC attended the Space Coalition meeting at Metro Denver EDC.

Guest Speakers & Briefings

We heard from Christopher Stone, Senior Fellow for Space Deterrence Studies and former Special Assistant to the DASD for Space Policy, who provided updates on the Golden Dome initiative.

An overview of Silent Shield was also presented by Ryan Roberts, Principal in Advisory at Deloitte.

The meeting also featured remarks from Senator John Hickenlooper who address Space Command moving to Alabama.

02/26/2026

Aurora EDC participated in the Buckley Regional Military Affairs Council meeting this morning at the CSU Global Campus headquarters in Denver.

02/10/2026

We’re proud to shine the spotlight on Jeff Barratt, an accomplished leader, advocate for workforce development, and dedicated champion of Colorado’s construction industry. Over the course of his career - from manufacturing to higher education leadership, to statewide industry representation - Jeff has built a legacy rooted in service, mentorship, and commitment to improving the communities we live, work, and play in.

Read more: https://auroraedc.com/news/aurora-edc-member-spotlight-jeff-barratt/

We’re proud to shine the spotlight on Jeff Barret, an accomplished leader, advocate for workforce development, and dedicated champion of Colorado’s construction industry. Over the course of his career – from manufacturing to higher education leadership, to statewide industry representation –...

01/27/2026

Last week, Aurora EDC attended the BRMAC meeting hosted at the Community College of Aurora, Heritage Hall, located in the CCA Fine Arts Building. During the meeting, we heard:

BRMAC updates and regional coordination items

Unit updates from installation partners

A briefing from Dr. Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, President of Community College of Aurora, highlighting education and workforce initiatives that support the community

An exciting resource was also announced: the Buckley Welcome & Resource Page by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. This centralized resource assists those preparing for a PCS to Buckley Space Force Base, current residents, service members transitioning from active duty, and individuals choosing Colorado as their long-term home.

Learn more: https://www.aurorachamber.org/buckleywelcome/

Arriving at Buckley Housing & Neighborhoods Education & Schools Medical & Wellness Preparing to PCS/Deploy Veterans Benefits & Claims Colorado Veteran Benefits Things to Do Community Support Disclaimer Welcome to the Buckley Welcome & Resource Hub – your go-to connection for the Greater Buckley Re...