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Economic development director highlights 2024 projects and new businesses in Thornton
Summary
Thornton's economic development director reviewed 2024 activity including new entertainment and restaurant tenants, 13 new primary employers adding over 500 jobs, redevelopment work at Thornton Shopping Center, and infrastructure planning for the Washington Street Corridor.
Economic Development Director Adam Krueger told the Thornton City Council that 2024 brought a mix of new retail, entertainment and primary employers to the city and noted several redevelopment initiatives underway.
Krueger said owners of Thornton Town Center have begun addressing vacancy; one of the announced new tenants is Malibu Jacks, an indoor amusement operator expected to occupy about 15,000 square feet. He also highlighted indoor recreation projects and restaurants that opened or broke ground in 2024, including The Grove Snowbond (indoor skiing/snowboarding), Chicken and Pickle, K1 Speed (indoor go-karts planned for construction), and new eateries such as Bengal Tiger and Billy Birch.
On primary employers, Krueger told council the city added 13 new employers in 2024 totaling more than 500 new primary jobs. He cited examples including Hammond Infrastructure, Forge Nano, Pro's Closet and Todd Technologies. Krueger also reported progress on removal of an eyesore mattress store at North Valley Tech Center and ongoing utility undergrounding projects in the southern part of the city.
Krueger discussed redevelopment outreach for the Thornton Shopping Center, saying staff held three community engagement events with about 250 residents total and that input will be used as planning proceeds. He also described a multi‑department task force and a multi‑year plan for Washington Street Corridor improvements from 104th Avenue north to Effinger, targeting pedestrian safety, commercial and infrastructure upgrades.
On small-business assistance, Krueger said Eliiza's Business Assistance Center logged roughly 2,600 business interactions in 2024 (up from about 1,900 in 2023) and reported 181 business outreach visits in 2023 versus 603 in 2024. He summarized grant activity including roughly $300,000 in business improvement grants that leveraged about $474,000 in private investment, and noted a robust calendar of ribbon cuttings and networking events.
Krueger closed by describing the Eastlake street fair and other resident-facing events designed to gather feedback and inform future work in that neighborhood. He told council staff are prepared to provide more detail or answer follow-up questions.
