BACKGROUND
Over the past two decades, Greater Parker has grown from a rural bedroom community of less than 2,500 residents to a greatly expanded-service community of over 88,000 residents (within 5 miles of Downtown). This is a remarkable and compelling statistic. Most of this growth has been driven by Parker's convenient proximity to the I-25 employment corridor, from the Denver Tech Center at I-25 and I-225 to the Meridian International Business Center at I-25 and E-470, and all of the 27 business parks in-between. Also, Parker's many traveling professionals enjoy a locational advantage in relation to Denver International Airport, a convenient and predictable 25 minutes to the north via the E-470 Expressway. This dynamic between living and working has led to nearly 75% of Parker's workforce leaving town everyday to make their living. With the population of Greater Parker expected to exceed 150,000 people by the year 2025, what does this mean in terms of Parker's future economic strength and success? This page provides a few things to consider.
WHERE WE WANT TO GO
1) We need to consider how we sustain a healthier balance between living and working closer to and within Parker.
2) While our transportation network continues to be improved by the addition of new roads and bridges to reduce congestion on our system during the rush hour, we must recognize the need to develop stronger concentrations of office and light industrial development to create more opportunities for our highly skilled and educated workforce to remain in Parker during the typical workday.
3) Because of our impressive demographic mix, with nearly half of our working population possessing a bachelor or higher degree and many executives already calling Greater Parker home, a very desirable labor force is already in place. Thus, local economic development leaders will continue to recruit those types of industries that are looking for this embedded workforce.
4) The Town of Parker, as the anchor of the Greater Parker area, has recently commissioned a study to better understand the opportunities available to us to grow a stronger daytime economy by keeping more of our workforce local. Two key geographic areas of interest have been identified - the E-470 Corridor and Downtown/Mainstreet Districts, with the two being connected via Parker Road. Links to this timely and critical intelligence can be found as follows:
5) Further, the Economic Development Council has created a Daytime Economy Task Force to move some of these key ideas into specific Action Plans. If you'd like to get involved in this effort, please contact us, as this work is ongoing!
6) If you already live in Greater Parker, or are currently considering a move to the area, we'd love to share with you how "Parker Works For Me!".
Print Friendly Page
