B.O.L.D. 2026 | Q1 2023 Outcomes

B.O.L.D. 2026 is a five-year regional economic strength and resiliency initiative of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber developed BOLD 2026 in consultation with private and public sector leaders and partners in Arvada, Jefferson / Adams Counties, Metro Denver and the state of Colorado. Each quarter, the Arvada Chamber will provide this update on initiative outcomes for investors, members, Champions, and the community.

• We welcomed 2 essential employees to the B.O.L.D. 2026 team. Please join us in welcoming Marsha Barancik, SVP of Strategic Impact, and Kylie Parks, Director of Talent Pipeline Development. We know that having a committed team that wakes up thinking about the issues that impact our economy and community will lead to great results.
  

• We are thrilled to have launched a new and improved website at arvadachamber.org that will more effectively tell the story of B.O.L.D. 2026 and the many tools and partners supporting the work.

• The Arvada Chamber recognized that we need a new, larger location to support the growing needs of our business community with ample training and facilitation space. We are thrilled that in the coming months, we will be announcing the perfect space.
  

• In January 2023 we launched our new Champions Program to encourage broader participation and feedback from stakeholders across the region. 
  
  
• In partnership with the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce, we developed the Business Trends Snapshot (2023 First Edition) highlighting the data and opportunities that impact our economy and business health. 
  
  
• In March 2023, we hosted our annual State of the Economy address with Patty Silverstein. With nearly 100 businesses and leaders in attendance, we received a better understanding of the year ahead.
  

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• In March 2023 we launched the MetroWest Advanced Manufacturing Sector Partnership with the Jeffco Business and Workforce Center to understand and solve self-identified industry-specific challenges including Talent Recruitment, Talent Upskilling, Industry Awareness and Supply Chain Management.
  
  
• We were excited to initiate a 6-month pilot program check-in at the Green Mountain High School Career Hub. The learnings from this initial hub will lead to the launch at other schools across Jefferson County.

• In March 2023, we brought back the Talent KAPS Council with a renewed focus on defining outcomes, solving challenges, ensuring we are sharing resources (financial, staffing, etc) and collaborating on projects that impact the region! 
  
  
• The Arvada Chamber was named 1 of 5 organizations across the state who will be a partner in the Work-based Learning (WBL) Incentive Program. Starting in Q2 we will have $400,000 to distribute to businesses who are interested in growing their involvement in WBL.

• On March 6, 2023, business leaders and B.O.L.D. 2026 investors from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce attended Arvada City Council to support the approval of a conditional use permit for the Marshall Pointe Apartments (260 units with 60% AMI). The Chamber recognizes the critical role that housing plays in our local economy and is committed to the education and advocacy required to ensure projects such as this are elevated and approved in our community. It passed unanimously!
  
  
• We recognize that there is work underway across our region on housing strategy and we have ensured that we are partnering with the other entities working on solutions to ensure alignment with our future strategies.
  
  
• Much of Q1 was spent researching the various components of our housing ecosystem and we are pleased to have an internal working framework and dashboard.

• In February 2023, we hosted the State of Childcare event where attendees began to better understand the complicated and evolving childcare system we are working to improve. Education is a key component of B.O.L.D. strategies.
  
  
• After months of research, we have vetted two options for Family Friendly Workplace Certifications that we will be taking to our Childcare KAPS Council in Q2.
  
  
• We are grateful to be invited to join the Triad Bright Futures Leadership Team and be part of the regional effort to improve our Childcare system.

• In alignment with our new location mentioned above we are well into the process of defining partnerships and programs to activate the new location and support the growth of entrepreneurship in our region.

• The Arvada Chamber has already taken nearly 30 positions on bills during this year’s legislative session. Many of these have been supported by a call to action from our business community to provide written or verbal testimony!
  
  
• In March 2023 we held Advocacy After Hours at Colorado Tap House where nearly 40 elected officials and business leaders connected on issues impacting our region. 
  
  
• We have been busy planning for Colorado’s first Civics Bee! The National Civics Bee is part of the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Civic Trust initiative, designed to improve understanding of and involvement in American civic life by changing the conversation and perception of civics in classrooms, board rooms, on social media and through other platforms. On April 18 ten students will test their knowledge at our local competition.

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