In a unique partnership between Colorado State University and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation, the regional economist position was formed over 18 months ago. Fellow Rotarian and experienced businesswoman and entrepreneur for over 30 years, Maury Dobbie (President/CEO of NCEDC), will share what NCEDC is focused on to help the region thrive. Targeted industry clusters, education and workforce initiative, existing company program (Business Retention and Expansion) and attraction of companies to Northern Colorado will be some topics of discussion.

NCEDC focuses on Larimer County and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization funded by over 220 private companies, Larimer county and cities. The organization does not focus on retail or tourism, but works with primary employers existing in the region or those employers looking to move to the region. Primary employers are defined as those companies who export at least 50% of their goods or services outside the region, using the “new money” that comes into the region to pay for payroll and purchase other goods and services.

Regional Economist, Dr. Martin Shields, will be sharing his thoughts on the region’s economic outlook for 2008 and beyond. Martin Shields is Associate Professor of Economics at CSU. Dr. Shields’ primary responsibility is analyzing and forecasting the northern Colorado and Colorado state economies. His research program focuses on the factors that influence regional economic growth, emphasizing policy options that will enhance economic opportunities and quality of life for the residents of northern Colorado. Professor Shields develops economic models to identify the region’s competitive advantages and manners by which these advantages are reinforced and strengthened through public-private partnerships.

In related research, Dr. Shields examines the relationship between economic growth and household income. From a policy perspective, he is interested in identifying strategies for helping workers move up through career ladders, regardless of their education. Within this area, Dr. Shields collaborates with economic development organizations, local and state government, industry, non-profits and the region’s colleges and universities.

The topic will be: "Religion in History: Its Origins and Purposes."

The position that I hold right now is in the PaCE (Professional and Community Experiences) program. I feel very, very strongly about saying that this is our time today to honor each of you. It is the business community that has done such a phenomenal job. I believe that PaCE has been in existence for about 15 years and in those years we have had between 500 and 700 businesses every year supporting our students. We have the opportunity to place students out in the community based on their career interests and it is you taking on our students and giving us these incredible experiences for them to explore. So when I was asked about what was one of the things I liked best about teaching, I said it is relationships. It is the relationships that I have developed over the years with the community, with the students, with the school staff, with the administration and with the community that I like most. I really get to work with my friends.

I wanted to share some of those relationships with you. What I have appreciated so very much is, that years later after students have graduated, they come back and they thank you for what you did for them in high school. And it is a phenomenal feeling, that they remember you and the really neat thing is that you remember them, because you have had an impact on thousands of people.

One example is of the student who got an intern position at a bank. He would say over and over again that he could not believe that he had such a professional opportunity as a junior and senior in high school. want to thank you again for the support of PaCE and the honor. I have truly enjoyed the relationships.

Bob Meroney

1. Awards are made to graduating seniors selected from: 1. Fort Collins High School 2. Fossil Ridge High School 3. Rocky Mountain High School 4. Poudre High School 5. Centennial High School 6. Frontier High
2. In addition, one award is given to a student currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program at the Larimer campus of Front Range Community College. This award is not limited to traditional-aged students. Finally, there are three named scholarships established to memorialize individuals. These are need-based awards for students who have demonstrated the scholarship necessary to succeed in college. Thus we select nine recipients total.
3. To qualify for awards, all recipients must enroll full-time in degree or certificate programs at Colorado State University or the Larimer campus of Front Range Community College. Application forms are provided by the counseling centers at the various high schools and Front Range Community College during January-February of each year.
4. All awards are $2000 for one academic year. Half of the award ($1000) will be given at the beginning of the academic year. The second $1000 will be awarded if, after the first semester, the student has earned at least a 3.0 grade point average. The 3.0 GPA is based on the system where a 4.0 GPA would be earned for straight A's. Funds are to be deposited in a student account at the institution and may be used for tuition, fees, books, and necessary supplies or equipment. If a recipient withdraws from the institution or drops out of the degree or certificate program, unused funds will be returned to the Fort Collins Rotary Club.
5. Selection will be based on need, scholarship, community service, and leadership. Each applicant is required to submit a paper in which they comment on Rotary's Four-Way Test of the things we think, say, or do.
6. Interviews of finalists will be conducted in the spring and the awards announced not later than May 30.
7. Award recipients will be expected to provide a 3 minute report (in person, if possible) of their college experience to the Rotary Club of Fort Collins lunch time meeting at the Lincoln Center during the Fall Semester.

Members can find information about all committees by visiting the online list of all of the club's committees on the web at: FC Rotary Club Committees

His presentation was peppered with great humor. The best humor was about the tag line and some possible exaggerated alternatives. Before he showed these alternatives he said that this is off the record and the next few slides are just joking. Instead of the tag line being, “where renewal is a way of life”, it became, a community that banned Christmas, sprayed for mosquitoes, will annex ya’, etc. Darin showed these humorous alternatives because he said that while each subject was important, it is healthy to be able to laugh at yourself and work. He said that he is proud of Fort Collins because of the willingness of the city leaders to take on tough issues, something not all communities do.

Darin talked about the “branding” process, a very detailed study of Fort Collins from an internal and external perspective, and that the logo was a very small part of that process. That study showed some unique things about Fort Collins, some contrasts. For instance it is green but pro-business; it is high tech but also agriculture oriented; it is family but also students oriented, and it is about the arts but also outdoors oriented. The branding process also showed that on a lot of issues the community is split about 50-50.

In discussing the renewal issue that was a key result of the branding process, Darin said that this was not about urban renewal. It is about how our community is made up of people seeking renewal as in getting a college education, as in starting a new job, as in starting a new business, as in raising a family, many of the things he has done in coming to Fort Collins.

He ended his shortened presentation telling us about how he got to Fort Collins and some of the benefits and challenges of his office. It also included some humor as it related to the benefits of his job and to his children, his son starting to drive and his daughter maybe starting to date.

Warren and Genny Garst Wildlife Collection at CSU Click here or on the "tiger."

Rotary District 5440 Home Page - We recommend browsing this page particularly the links to other Clubs in District 5440 as your time permits.

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Copyright © by Warren Garst, Lannie Boyd and Alan Ashbaugh for the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado, March 12, 2008