Economic development office cut from Colorado Springs budget

The city of Colorado Springs is set to lose two managers in its economic development office at a time when many believe it is vitally important to expand businesses and draw new companies to the Pikes Peak region. As part of other budget cuts, 71 city positions will be eliminated according to budget manager Mike Anderson.

City Council is expected to approve its final budget on November 25. This is the first time the city has had to drastically reduce its budget since 1991, Anderson says. The proposed city budget for 2004 is $208.9 million.

The city office of economic development was created in 1989 when current director Gary Cuddeback joined the department. Its original focus came out of a 1988 community economic strategy plan, when citizens and city leaders agreed the city should assist the chamber and the El Paso County Economic Development Corporation.

Our role was to support the EDC and its attraction of businesses to the area, Cuddeback says. We were there to assist local expanding businesses, to be an ombudsman with the city and to retain local companies.