Boulder staff present draft economic vitality strategy, urge council guidance on priorities

Boulder City Council heard a staff presentation on a draft economic vitality strategy that city leaders say is intended to guide economic development actions over the next two to three years.

The strategy, presented by Jennifer Pinsonow, Economic Vitality Manager for the city of Boulder, outlines four focus areas'equity, resilience, vitality and innovation'and proposes expanded support for micro and small businesses, workforce pathways, disaster preparedness, and targeted industry attraction. Assistant City Manager Mark Wolf framed the work as an update to the city's last formal economic-development approach, which staff said was last reviewed in 2013.

City staff said the strategy builds on market research, a community and council forum, outreach to historically excluded entrepreneurs and partnerships with local organizations including the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Boulder Partnership and the Boulder Small Business Development Center.

"The strategy is designed to broadly describe projects and programs for creating a stronger, more resilient economy in a post-pandemic environment," Pinsonow said. She told council the document is intended to inform the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update and…