EDC turns focus to smaller firms

January 9, 2009 - 9:30 PM

RICH LADEN
THE GAZETTE

A lot of people are looking for work these days, but they might not want Mike Kazmierski's job.

As president of the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corp., Kazmierski heads an organization that's trying to add jobs in the community at a time when employers nationwide are slashing payrolls.

In addition, reduced revenues last year left the nonprofit EDC with a $120,000 shortfall in its $1.5 million budget for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30; the organization tapped its reserves to make up the difference.

"I would call it challenging," Kazmierski, the EDC's president since 2005, said in a carefully measured response when asked how tough his job has become.

For the last few years, the EDC has targeted small companies with large upsides - businesses that hold the promise of delivering more and high-paying jobs to Colorado Springs as they grow.

The EDC also has paid closer attention to the needs of local employers and gone after California companies looking to relocate or expand.

Those strategies, however, were put in place during better economic times. Today, as businesses nationwide jettison jobs and cut expenses, and as local residents wonder whether there will be work for them if they get laid off, should the EDC stay the course or consider new tactics?

The EDC might do both in 2009, Kazmierski said.

Growth-oriented companies will remain targets, although the EDC won't look past larger employers that might consider the Springs, he said. Two companies with the potential of bringing more than 1,000 jobs each are currently looking at the Springs, said Kazmierski, who declined to identify them. Their salaries would be well above minimum wage, although wouldn't necessarily be considered high paying; still, they'd be jobs with full benefits packages, he said. More here.