July 24, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PEDCO Defines Role in Economic Development
The Pueblo Economic Development Corporation, founded in 1981, continues to work towards the mission to Attract, Retain and Expand primary jobs in Pueblo County. Due to the highly confidential nature of projects, it is hard to share with the community all the details but wants to update how we are working to bring jobs to the citizens of Pueblo.
PEDCO is actively working on three strong prospects to drive economic growth in Pueblo County. Combined, there could be potential for over 450 full-time family-supporting jobs located in Pueblo’s Industrial Parks. Efforts to bring these companies to Pueblo include many partners; City of Pueblo – City Council and Mayor, Pueblo County Commissioners, Pueblo Water, Black Hills Energy, Xcel Energy, San Isabel Electric, Pueblo Community College, CSU Pueblo, Pueblo Regional Building Department, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), Colorado Department of Transportation, and other local and state offices.
“It is always a work in progress to bring a company to fruition,” says PEDCO President/CEO, Jeff Shaw. “It can be several years for a company to go from investigating areas for expansion or relocation to finalizing the deal. Many companies explore several locations across the country to find their best fit and Pueblo has great assets with access to major interstate, railroads & airport hub, climate, as well as access to water.”
Pueblo City Council, who manages the half-cent sales tax fund, and PEDCO work in tandem to bring these prospects to our area. PEDCO is responsible for examining the true potential of businesses on behalf of the city – financial stability, growth potential, employment needs, connections to local educational institutions for training and development, identify utility needs, access to rail or roadways for logistics and guiding the process. PEDCO then recommends options to City Council for approval of the half-cent sales tax incentives to the company. Granting these incentive funds is often a deciding factor for companies to choose Pueblo. These funds can only be used for capital projects and/or to assist with the infrastructure of new and existing buildings, many owned by the City of Pueblo, once a company signs a 10-year employment agreement with the City of Pueblo.
“Sometimes PEDCO’s role is misunderstood in the use of the half-cent sales tax, and we want taxpayers to know we strive to do our best in an effort to bring prosperity and jobs,” says PEDCO Board Chair, Dominic Gallina. “We are equally disappointed when a prospect ultimately selects a different town or state for their company, but we persist in seeking companies who will value Pueblo and the community.”
PEDCO eagerly anticipates making announcements to the community welcoming new economic development in the third and fourth quarter of 2025, once City Council approves the recommendations.
-PEDCO’s purpose is primary job creation. A primary job is a full-time position in the private sector employment by manufacturing, business, commercial or service industries, producing, assembling, or distributing products, or providing services primarily or ultimately for sale consumption or use outside Pueblo. This brings money into Pueblo from outside Pueblo.
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