Montrose - Daily Press

MONTROSE — Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter will be here Tuesday to help Montrose Economic Development Corporation celebrate its 50th anniversary.

“(Ritter) agreed to come. He said he would be a governor for the whole state and he’s proving that by coming to our meeting,” said Sandy Head, president of MEDC.

The meeting will take place at the Montrose Pavilion. The reception starts at 5 p.m., with the dinner and program beginning at 6 p.m.

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Head said when she was planning the meeting, which is usually just a social hour and annual update, she decided since this community has been doing economic development for 50 years, the meeting needed to be something “spectacular,” and needed a special speaker.

Head said MEDC’s focus currently parallels Gov. Ritter’s Colorado Promise.

“His platform is about economic development, job growth, rural communities, renewable energy and educating youth ... we are all on the same track,” she said.

The governor accepted MEDC’s invitation to be keynote speaker for the meeting, which sold 260 tickets as of Friday morning.

Head said there will be a short business meeting where the corporation will honor members and recognize the new board for 2007. Head said she will also do a “recap” of MEDC’s last 50 years and then Ritter will speak.

“He’s coming for the evening and has agreed to give his speech and take questions after,” she said.

Evan Dreyer, Ritter’s spokesman, said the governor will discuss economic development topics, both statewide and regional. He said Ritter will also update the audience on the new administration.

MEDC’s mission is to strengthen Montrose County’s economic base and increase the standard of living for all of its residents through the retention, expansion, attraction and development of primary jobs through capital investments.

The corporation is a public/private partnership, with 155 members. Since 1957, MEDC has developed four business parks, the first purchased in 1959. It has also assisted more than 45 companies in relocation and expansion efforts, Head said.

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