NCEDC Launches Phase II of Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative

In December 2007, NCEDC held our quarterly Leadership 2010 Council meeting in conjunction with our
Education & Workforce Committee. NCEDC launched phase II of this initiative and progress to-date includes
a comprehensive workplan, measurables for 2008 and actionable strategies to link three groups: primary
employers, education providers, and members of the workforce.
The meeting also highlighted the results of the two-county Underemployment Study developed between
NCEDC and Upstate Colorado Economic Development (Weld County). Study highlights:

- The region is home to 15,800 unemployed persons currently seeking work (4.1 percent)

- An additional 5,300 people who might re-enter the labor force for the proper job

- Overall, the study concludes there are 45,900 workers potentially available for employers

NORTHERN COLORADO ECONOMY SLOWING BUT STILL EXPECTED TO ADD JOBS,
COLORADO STATE ECONOMISTS PREDICT

FORT COLLINS - As economic indicators continue to point to a national recession, economists at
Colorado State University have updated their 2008 projections, predicting a further slowdown in
Northern Colorado's economy.

CSU Professor Martin Shields and his colleague David Keyser issued revised employment forecasts
today that project regional job totals will grow 1.6 percent by year's end, translating into about 3,500
new jobs in Larimer and Weld Counties. This is down from the 4,000 new jobs they initially forecasted
for 2008 in October.

"Northern Colorado's economy is not immune from national forces," Shields said in the forecast,
which is co-sponsored by the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp. and the CSU Office
of Economic Development "And the U.S. doldrums have certainly taken some wind out of the region's sails."

Recent increases in unemployment have caught the economists' attention. Over the past year, the
number of people out of work in Larimer and Weld counties has swelled to nearly 14,000, which is
2,200 more than a year ago.

Unlike the last local economic downturn in 2003 when high-tech manufacturing was devastated,
there is no single industry bleeding jobs.

"One interesting aspect is that there hasn't been a spike in mass layoffs," Keyser said. A mass
layoff is defined as 50 or more workers from a single facility. Instead, Keyser points out, "We are
seeing instances where businesses are trimming a smaller number of workers across a variety of sectors."

For example, Kroll Factual Data cited mortgage market woes in announcing its layoff of about 15
Loveland-based workers in September. Thirty workers from the Fort Collins-based operations of
Dako N/A, a bioscience firm, were laid off in August.

Shields and Keyser believe the region's diverse economic base will largely help protect the region
from the national turbulence - despite the fact that multiple industry losses might be interpreted as
a sign of widespread economic weakness.

"Even in good economic times, some businesses lay off workers," Shields said. "I know a large number
of families continue to be affected, but if there was an upside to Northern Colorado's last recession, it is that the
regional economy is not as dependent on one particular sector, especially one so vulnerable to globalization."

The forecast projects regional 2008 job growth will be strongest in the Leisure and Hospitality sector,
with slightly more than 800 new jobs. The Natural Resources, Mining and Construction sector is expected
to add about 700 new jobs, buoyed by high energy prices and the growth of commercial construction.

After several years of job losses, the Manufacturing sector will add jobs, driven in part by the clean-energy
industry. For example, Vestas' new wind blade manufacturing facility in Windsor is set to create 600 new
manufacturing jobs in the region over the next two years, and Woodward Governor recently announced
100 new jobs in wind turbine inverters. Meanwhile, AVA Solar continues to ramp up both its research-and-
development and production processes.

"The efforts of the state and region's clean energy partnerships are beginning to bear substantial fruit
throughout northern Colorado," said Maury Dobbie, president and CEO of NCEDC. "As the world looks to
alternatives to fossil fuels, our region is increasingly viewed as an important area for both research
innovation and production."

But not all sectors are projected to grow. Shields and Keyser foresee slight job losses in Professional,
Scientific, Technical and Business services and in the Information and Wholesale sector.

Keyser said the revised forecast puts Northern Colorado's growth rate more in line with state-level projections.
"In 2008, we expect the state to add 41,000 net new jobs, a 1.8 percent increase from 2007," he said.

While the slowdown is not a surprise, the timing is, Shields said: "We expected it, but it seems to be
happening a bit sooner than we thought it would."

Spanish visitors eye renewable energy
By The Denver Post Last Updated: 02/13/2008 11:25:07 PM

A delegation of about 30 renewable-energy executives and government officials from Spain are visiting
Colorado this week to learn about investment and expansion opportunities in the region. The Spanish
delegation will meet with state and local public officials, including Gov. Bill Ritter, and tour a number of
sites such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Colorado State University.
Others involved with the visit include the U.S. Department of Commerce, Metro Denver Economic
Development Corp. and Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp. The Denver Post

****************
Working with the Department of Commerce, NCEDC and CSU provided opportunities for the Spanish
delegation to meet with clean energy companies for deal making and to explore attraction opportunities.

NCEDC was proud to partner with New Belgium Brewery to host the delegation for an evening reception
while they were in Fort Collins on Valentine's Day. New Belgium provided a premier opportunity to showcase
a company that demonstrates being energy efficient and socially responsible highlighting their commitment
to clean and renewable energy sources.

Second Annual "Mission to the Capitol" a success

NCEDC participated in the February 6th second annual "Mission to the Capitol" along with
other Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance members.

Those who attended the Business Leaders' Mission to the Capitol met with key legislators
and policy makers, including Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, chair of the House Health and
Human Services committee. Political insiders believe she will be instrumental in driving
any health care reform that emerges this year. She shared with the group that she does not
favor a single payer system, and she opposes individual and business mandates for
health insurance.

The group also met with Don Elliman, director of the Office of Economic Development,
Russ George, head of the Colorado Department of Transportation, State Treasurer
Cary Kennedy, Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma,
and Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland. Meetings were followed by a reception at
Palettes at the Denver Art Museum.

Woodward announces plans to build Wind Turbine Inverters in Northern Colorado to support
growing U.S. demand Workforce development being supported through collaboration with CSU,
Front Range community college and NCEDC

Fort Collins, Colo., March 24, 2008 – Woodward Governor Company announced today the company
will add up to 100 new jobs in the region through the expansion of its wind turbine inverter
business to include a new production line in northern Colorado to support the growing demand
for clean energy in the U.S. Inverters are used to convert a wind turbine’s variable output
into grid compatible electrical power.

“This will complement our existing inverter operation in Kempen, Germany and will provide
enhanced support to our European customer base as they expand their presence and sales of
wind turbines in the U.S.,” stated Tom Gendron, Chairman and CEO of Woodward. The additional
production line, expected to be in pilot production this fall, will manufacture inverters in
the 2MW class. Additionally, field service for the U.S. market will also be supported out
of Colorado.

“This is excellent news for our region as we collectively work to expand our existing companies
in the clean energy cluster,” said Maury Dobbie, President/CEO of Northern Colorado Economic
Development Corporation (NCEDC).

Supporting the decision to locate the U.S. wind turbine operations in Northern Colorado has
been the close collaboration with the educational community to support the workforce needs of
the clean energy industry. Woodward and Colorado State University collaborated last year to
launch a systems engineering program at CSU to support the growing need for qualified systems
engineers. Woodward committed $1 million to create the Woodward Systems Engineering endowed
professorship - a position currently held by Dr. Ron Sega, who was also recently named the
Vice President for Energy, the Environment and Applied Research at the CSU Research Foundation.

“Woodward has been a leader in the area of renewable energy for a long time, and we are proud of
our close working relationship that continues to boost the regional economy,” said CSU President
Larry Edward Penley. “We are deeply appreciative of Woodward’s commitments to clean energy and
Colorado State.”

“NCEDC and its partners have been collaborating for nine months to create the ‘Northern Colorado
Workforce Initiative,’ a program that essentially connects three groups - educators, primary
employers and the workforce,” Dobbie said. “We all agree, in order to be competitive in a global
economy, existing companies and those we are trying to attract, must be able to hire an educated
and skilled workforce. The announcement of Woodward’s expansion will be the kickoff to this
unique initiative.”

About Woodward

Woodward is an independent designer, manufacturer, and service provider of energy control
and optimization solutions for engine, aircraft and industrial turbines, and electrical
power system equipment. The company's innovative fluid energy, combustion control, electrical
energy, and motion control systems help customers offer cleaner, more reliable, and cost-effective
equipment. Woodward is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado USA and serves global markets in
aerospace, power and process industries and transportation. Visit our website at www.woodward.com.

The statements in this release concerning the company's future sales, earnings, business performance,
prospects, and the economy in general reflect current expectations and are forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
company’s expectation to add up to 100 new jobs in the region, the expected additional line to be in
production this fall, and the anticipated field service for the U.S. market to be supported out of
Colorado. Actual results could differ materially from projections or any other forward-looking
statement and we have no obligation to update our forward-looking statements. Factors that could
affect performance and could cause actual results to differ materially from projections and forward-
looking statements are described in Woodward's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 2007 and Quarterly Report Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2007,
to be filed shortly.

Colorado vNet receives precedent setting incentives from the City of Loveland
for a Retention Project.

Colorado vNet will move 14 manufacturing jobs from Longmont to Loveland after receiving an
incentives package worth up to $900,000 from the city of Loveland.

The company that makes home-automation equipment will consolidate its operations at the former
Water Pik building, 609 S.W. 14th St. in Loveland.

The company currently has 80 employees and, as part of the incentives package, will need to
grow to 250 by Dec. 31, 2012. If it does not meet the quota, the company will pay a penalty
of $2,000 per job less than 250. Actual company projections are to obtain 450 employees by
2010 with an average salary of $77,000.

NCEDC Director of Retention and Expansion, Stacy Johnson, worked hard with Betsey Hale,
Loveland Business Development Manager, to put together the incentive package that went
in front of the City Council. Great job!

Regional Economist Poverty Study

Powered by NCEDC

We would like to thank our partners who have committed to $30,000 to fund a poverty study
through our Regional Economist at CSU, Martin Shields. The study will result in an ability
to effectively apply the right resources to the right issues facing our community.

Our partners include: Kenneth & Myra Monfort Charitable Foundation, Community Foundation of
Larimer County, Bohemian Foundation & United Way's Pathways Past Poverty.

Stay tuned for more details on the study and what it will mean for the people of Northern Colorado.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 4, 2008

Contacts:
Korrie Johnston, McWhinney, 970.962.0005
Kevin Mullins, Constant Contact, 781.472.6206
Maury Dobbie, NCEDC, 970.667.0905

CONSTANT CONTACT CHOOSES CENTERRA FOR CORPORATE EXPANSION

Company expansion expects to produce 50 new jobs in Loveland this year

LOVELAND, CO - June 4, 2008 -McWhinney is proud to announce that Constant Contact(r), Inc.,
a leading provider of email marketing and online surveys for small organizations, has chosen
Centerra as its second location to expand beyond its corporate headquarters in Waltham,
Massachusetts. Slated to complete a build-to-suit, 50,000 square foot office building in
Precision Office Park, Constant Contact expects to employ 50 workers at its Centerra
location by year end.

"McWhinney couldn't be more excited to welcome Constant Contact to Centerra, to Loveland,
and to Northern Colorado. Their leadership in the small business market is demonstrated
through their 185,000 customers," said Chad McWhinney, CEO & Co-Founder, McWhinney.
"We look forward to providing them with a state-of-the-art second home."

"After examining different locations around the United States, Centerra and Northern Colorado
stood out on many fronts. A great location, a highly-skilled workforce in close proximity to
several higher education entities, and the reputation of McWhinney were among the reasons for
our decision to come to Northern Colorado," said Tom Howd, Senior Vice President, Customer
Operations, Constant Contact.

The company will initially move into a 9,250 square foot temporary office at Hahns Peak One,
4850 Hahns Peak Drive, until their permanent 50,000 square foot office is completed in Precision
Office Park, south of the corporate headquarters of Heska Corporation. The build-to-suit office
construction has begun with an estimated completion in the first half of 2009.

"It has been exciting to work with Constant Contact to find an immediate home to accommodate
their opening this summer. We know their new 50,000 square foot facility will provide them
with the space needed to support their company goals," said Ron Kuehl, Vice President -
Real Estate, McWhinney. Kuehl handled the lease and sales transaction for McWhinney.

"Centerra has more than 6,000 employees within its boundaries today. One-third of those positions
are in primary employment with above average wages. With the addition of Constant Contact, Centerra
will solidify its growing position as a regional center for high-skill employment, a position that
has attracted knowledge workers in key industries such as customer service support, life sciences,
and defense. The Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC) played a key role in
obtaining these new primary jobs for Northern Colorado," said Rocky Scott, Principal, Business
Development & Strategy, McWhinney. "We commend them for their great work."

"NCEDC has been pleased to work with a quality company such as Constant Contact over the past year,"
said Maury Dobbie, President/CEO, Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC). "After
a thorough analysis of our workforce, educational institutions, real estate options, and quality of
life advantages, we are proud they chose to create new primary jobs in Northern Colorado."

McWhinney is leading the construction of Constant Contact's 50,000 square foot build-to-suit
office building.

About Constant Contact, Inc.
Launched in 1998, Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing and online
survey tools for small organizations, including small businesses, associations, and nonprofits.
To learn more, please visit www.constantcontact.com or call (781) 472-8100.

For Immediate Release - Thursday, July 03, 2008

Contact for Reporters:
Emily Narvaes Wilmsen
(970) 491-2336
Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu

Or

Kiersten Rennels
NCEDC
(970) 667-0905
krennels@ncedc.com

Colorado State University Economic Development Office, NCEDC to Collaborate on Survey
of Larimer County Businesses

FORT COLLINS - Colorado State University's Office of Economic Development and the
Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp. will survey 850 businesses in the next
few weeks to determine business perceptions of future workforce needs.

The benefit of businesses taking this online survey will result in a more qualified workforce.
The survey is a product of the Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative - an effort led by the
NCEDC - that aims to bridge the gap between education and business by training and matching
jobs to local talent. Other participants in the initiative include K-12 districts, community
colleges, Larimer County Workforce Center, Chambers of Commerce, private industries and
non-profit organizations.

"We want owners of businesses small and large to complete the survey so we have a better
picture of skills employers seek and the workforce that's available," said Maury Dobbie,
president and chief executive officer of NCEDC. "Our overall goal is to be more demand-driven
in our approach as we listen to primary employers, share that information with educators and
trainers, and thus better match employers and workers."

Invitations to take the online surveys are expected to be mailed the week of July 1. The survey
will take about 35 minutes to complete. Business owners with questions about the survey should
call NCEDC at (970) 667-0905.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 20th, 2008

Contact for Reporters:
Kiersten Rennels
NCEDC
(970) 667-0905
krennels@ncedc.com

Or

Laurel Foster
The Brendle Group, Inc.
(970) 207-0058
lfoster@brendlegroup.com

Judy Dorsey - Outstanding Consultant Award 2008, National Association of Women Business
Owners (NAWBO), August 7, 2008 Denver Business Journal

FORT COLLINS – NCEDC is proud to congratulate Judy Dorsey, founding president and principal
engineer of The Brendle Group, for being recognized by NAWBO and the Denver Business Journal
as Outstanding Woman for 2008 in the category of Consultants on August 7th, 2008. For the
last 12 years, she has led The Brendle Group on its quest to demonstrate the business-case
for sustainability by helping convert their clients’ environmental programs from an operating
expense to a business asset. Her employees also offer professional staffing for the Northern
Colorado Clean Energy Cluster (a group of academic and business leaders in the Clean Energy
field to explore the strength of the region's current assets in clean energy and give advice
on how to best advance in the future).

Judy serves as the Executive Director of the Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster, an effort
currently supported and originally funded by NCEDC. “In order to be a top consultant you need
to be an expert in your field,” says Maury Dobbie, President/CEO of NCEDC and current Board Member
of the Clean Energy Cluster. “Judy’s leadership and involvement, combined with her industry knowledge
and understanding of the economic impact clean energy has on this region makes her the perfect choice
for this award and we are proud to honor her accomplishments.”

As an example of Judy's expertise and determination, she was one of the leaders of the FortZED
initiative. FortZED provides the platform to transform a 45-Megawatt area covering downtown
Fort Collins and the campus of Colorado State University (CSU) into a zero energy district.

She is also a board member and/or active supporter of the following community organizations:
Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Association, High Plains Environmental Center, Colorado Climate
Action Panel, CSU Institute for the Built Environment, and CSU College of Engineering Dean’s
Advisory Board.

In 2004, Judy received the '40 Under 40' award, which recognizes the top 40 entrepreneurs in
Northern Colorado under age 40. In 2006, she received the distinguished alumna award from the
CSU Department of Mechanical Engineering, and was nominated by Mayor Hutchinson to the Colorado
Climate Action Panel.

Judy holds an MS in Mechanical Engineering from CSU and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from
Northwestern University. She is a registered professional engineer in the State of Colorado,
a Certified Energy Manager, and LEED Accredited Professional.

Judy resides with her family in Fort Collins in Colorado's first LEED-certified home.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 10th, 2008

Contact for Reporters:
Kiersten Rennels
NCEDC
(970) 667-0905
krennels@ncedc.com

NCEDC Education & Workforce Advisory Council Meeting and Work Session for Larimer and Weld Counties
Hilton Fort Collins, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Presentation & Lunch, 1:45 pm – 3:30 pm Work Session
FORT COLLINS, Colorado – September 12th, 2008 at 11:00 am, the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation will host a historical and unprecedented event -- The Education & Workforce Advisory Council Meeting and Work Session for Larimer and Weld Counties. With participation from Upstate Colorado, NCEDC has invited educators, workforce organizations, primary employers and elected officials (city, county and state level) with the goal of supporting collaboration and an effort to determine the next steps for creating an effective and innovative regional action plan for educating our community’s workforce.
The lunch presentation will begin with Maury Dobbie, NCEDC President & CEO, giving a brief history of the Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative’s launch and goals to date. “We first want to celebrate all that has been achieved over the last 14 months in the region. This includes the results of a clean energy workforce survey created and assessed by Kathleen Gilliland, Director of the Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative, and Martin Shields, our Regional Economist” Dobbie says. “This will set the stage for the rest of the presentation.”
The event is historical because of the multiple organizations coming together to be regional leaders on workforce issues. “Employers do not recognize county or state lines when it comes to finding a highly educated and skilled workforce”, notes Kathleen Gilliland “We are focusing on workforce issues at a regional level because it affects us all.”
A collaboration announcement of four of our region’s most prominent educational institutes is part of the day’s agenda: Aims Community College, Colorado State University, Front Range Community College, University of Northern Colorado. Immediately following the luncheon from 1:30 – 1:45 pm, outside the main room, there will be an opportunity to talk with each organization about this historical collaboration. NCEDC is pleased to extend a special invitation to our media partners to attend on September 12th.
The luncheon will wrap up with a presentation by Susan Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) on “Creating a Common Vision and Goals for our Northern Colorado Workforce”. Immediately following the luncheon is a work session that will gather a collective set of goals and determine the next steps for the Workforce Initiative.
NCEDC focuses on strengthening our regional economy by supporting the expansion of existing businesses and attracting new primary employers to our region. “The Workforce Initiative is a crucial part of achieving a strong, sustainable economy.” Maury Dobbie states, “By having the right education programs for our workforce we are better able to attract and keep primary employers in our region. Without this initiative, it will be hard to be competitive with other regions.”
A joint press release from all four institutions will be forthcoming.
###

September 10, 2008
Northern Colorado Colleges, Universities Join Forces

Aims Community College, Colorado State University, Front Range Community College and the University of
Northern Colorado are collaborating on a joint venture to more effectively and efficiently develop and train the
region’s workforce for today’s global economy.

Joint Edu Venture

The institutions enhance regional economic development with their capacity in areas including custom
workforce training, a variety of degree programs, a broad range of research and specialized faculty expertise.
By leveraging their capacity through a joint venture, the institutions can make an even greater impact on northern
Colorado.
The need for the joint venture became apparent as the institutions explored the expansion of higher education
opportunities at five locations in Weld and Larimer counties: the Aims campus being developed near Berthoud
and the college’s location near Iron Mountain Complex; Centerra; downtown Greeley; and Old Town Fort Collins.
The project will help the institutions determine which school offers what programs where and how they might
develop collaborations at some or all of the locations.

This announcement coincides with the Larimer and Weld County Education and Workforce Advisory Council
meeting hosted by the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp., in cooperation with Upstate Colorado,
on Sept. 12. Senior officials from each of the institutions will speak at the meeting.

-MORE-

What They’re Saying

“This joint venture is an example of the smart competition and smart collaboration that can occur to
contribute to the region’s success. We all bring different areas of expertise to the table and are combining
our strengths without losing our identities.” – Kay Norton, president, University of Northern Colorado

“Northern Colorado requires a well-trained workforce to fill the many jobs that are part of emerging
industries such as clean energy. A regional approach between our institutions should help boost the
number of northern Colorado residents who are qualified to work in these jobs, benefiting our regional
economy." – Larry Edward Penley, president, Colorado State University

“Primary employers and venture capitalists are attracted to areas with a population of 500,000 or more.
With 250,000 in each county, separately we aren’t as attractive as we would be by combining our regional
numbers to reach the half million tipping point.” – Marsi Liddell, president, Aims Community College

“This will allow for better use of tax dollars for all of those who fund education. This joint venture promotes
efficiency and a level of cooperation to offer a broad range of possibilities for the region.” – Jim Butzek,
vice president of Larimer campus, Front Range Community College

For More Information:
Nate Haas, University of Northern Colorado, 970-351-1763, nate.haas@unco.edu
Emily Narvaes Wilmsen, Colorado State University, 970-491-2336, Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu
Amy Kegg, Aims Community College, 970-339-6206, amy.kegg@aims.edu
John Feeley, Front Range Community College, 970-204-8131, John.Feeley@frontrange.edu
-30-

NORTHERN COLORADO ECONOMY SLOWING BUT STILL EXPECTED TO ADD JOBS, COLORADO STATE ECONOMISTS PREDICT

NORTHERN COLORADO ECONOMY SLOWING BUT STILL EXPECTED TO ADD JOBS,
COLORADO STATE ECONOMISTS PREDICT