ATTRACT

PEDCO actively recruits new primary employers to Pueblo by promoting the region’s strengths: available buildings and project ready land, utility infrastructure, water availability, quality workforce, and strong logistics infrastructure. We respond to RFIs, coordinate site visits, and recommend customized incentive proposals—often leveraging the half-cent economic development sales tax. Our team works closely with city, county, state, and utility partners to streamline permitting and lower startup costs. We also advocate for pro-growth policy by engaging in efforts like Public Utilities Commission testimony and partnering with the Manufacturers Alliance of Colorado to reduce legislative risk. Everything we do aims to make Pueblo a competitive and compelling location for companies looking to expand or relocate.

RETAIN

Retaining companies is just as important as attracting them. PEDCO maintains regular contact with local manufacturers and primary employers to address pain points early—from workforce shortages to regulatory hurdles. We connect plant managers and HR teams to resources for recruiting, training, and retaining talent, including partnerships with local schools, colleges, and workforce centers. Our team also helps companies identify cost-saving opportunities through energy efficiency programs, supply chain connections, and infrastructure support. By staying proactive, we ensure Pueblo’s existing employers remain strong, satisfied, and rooted in the community.

EXPAND

PEDCO supports local companies ready to grow by helping them navigate expansion planning, permitting, and available incentives. We provide assistance for local scaling, and data-driven support to help companies plan wisely. When an employer adds new product lines or staff, we make sure they’re connected to workforce pipelines, utility partners, and state or federal programs that can accelerate their success. Beyond operations, we also help companies become more visible and engaged in the Pueblo community—through local partnerships, promotion, and employee outreach. Expansion isn’t just about more jobs—it’s about deeper investment and long-term success.

1. Lead Received / Responded

A project enters the pipeline when a company reaches out—or a partner or someone else refers them—and PEDCO responds with an initial call or email. This early-stage conversation is designed to better understand the project scope, industry, location preferences, and potential infrastructure or workforce needs. No formal data collection begins at this stage. To move forward, the company must submit a project application.

2. Application Submitted 

Once a company submits an application, it officially becomes a prospect and receives a code name to protect confidentiality. The application includes key information about the company’s background, number and nature of proposed jobs, wages, space and infrastructure needs, and timeline. This is the trigger point for PEDCO to engage local and regional partners and begin gathering the data necessary for evaluation.

3. Due Diligence

In this phase, PEDCO and the company are both doing homework:

• PEDCO evaluates the company’s financials, experience, growth potential, and risk factors.

• The company evaluates Pueblo’s ability to meet its needs—including labor force, education pipeline, utilities, and facilities.

PEDCO works with the City, County, Utility Providers, Workforce Partners, Board of Directors and Cluster Teams to assess fit and feasibility. Importantly:

PEDCO negotiates incentives on behalf of the City—but cannot approve or commit funds.
Only City Council has the authority to approve incentive use under the Half-Cent Sales Tax Incentive Ordinance.

4. Incentives Determined

After both parties complete their diligence and wish to proceed, PEDCO prepares a recommendation for incentives based on project scale, job creation, and community benefit. This begins the official contracting phase between the City Attorney’s Office and the company.  All Half Cent Incentive require employment agreements – where the company  Incentives may include:

• Cash-based job creation grants

• Infrastructure assistance

• Up to $800 per job in training funds, in partnership with CSU Pueblo, PCC, Pueblo Corporate College, and the Workforce Center.

5. City Council Approval

All incentive agreements must be approved by City Council in two public readings. Only after this step are funds officially committed. PEDCO prepares briefing materials and appears before Council to represent the project and explain the community benefit.

6. Project Announced

Once final approval is granted, PEDCO works with the company and community partners to publicly announce the project, jobs, and investment. This moment is celebrated as a win for the entire community—and serves as the launching point for onboarding, training, and long-term workforce support.