Under the banner of Next Economy, Sacramento sets out to raise our economic stature and redefine our future through implementing a set of shared priorities. With a steady focus on defined economic development strategies, community-wide support for the arts, bipartisan dialogue among the region's mayors, and proactive efforts to attract major sporting events, our visit to Denver will show us a collaborative culture that spans public and private sector leadership. Metro Denver is recognized nationally and even internationally for its collaborative approach to economic development. In the last three decades, the Metro Denver region successfully cleaned up its air and diversified its oil and

Regions, not states or nations, will power future economies, and attracting, educating and retaining a skilled professional employment base is essential to regional economic vitality. With a diversified economic base ranging from energy to aerospace and bioscience to information technology, Metro Denver has emerged as a national leader for producing scientific talent and ranks today as the nation's second-most highly educated workforce. "Metro Denver is repeatedly recognized as a bright spot in the national economy, thanks to our diverse array of high-tech businesses, relatively low cost of doing business, active and highly educated population, and ability to attract and retain a young an

As the Sacramento region sets out to bolster our next economy and cultivate a business-friendly culture that generates jobs and new investment, what can we learn from Denver? Over the past two decades, Metro Denver has successfully diversified its economy with industries ranging from energy to aerospace and bioscience to information technology. CNBC ranked Colorado fifth in "America's Top States for Business" in 2011 and the state ranked especially high for business friendliness, economy, and access to capital. Creating a clear path to job creation and business development is an essential economic foundation in thriving communities and, under the banner of Next Economy, the Capital Regio

For the past 14 years, the Sacramento Metro Chamber has organized an annual Study Mission to different cities across the country. Throughout our travels we have witnessed new, innovative and alternative approaches to growing the economy, and improving a regions quality of life. Spanning multiple days of conversations and experiences, we have revealed brilliant ideas for ongoing success. More importantly, we have forged lasting partnerships and learned important lessons to apply in our own community. The purpose of the Study Mission program is to frame the civic discourse for the coming years.  With their successful regional development and high level cooperation, Denver remains an ideal p