The oldest separate 501c economic development nonprofit in the Valley has kept a low profile for over 63 years but you can see their handiwork everywhere you look from Foresight Park to the land the Colorado Bureau of Investigations building sits on.
Industrial Development, Inc (IDI) was formed as a sister organization to the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce in 1959 and the Chamber continues to be its only member. Initial funding for the entity came from Chamber investments and the original purpose of IDI as taken from the articles of incorporation were to:
- “Promote the location of industrial and commercial businesses and enterprises in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah…”
- “Build and construct plants, warehouses, buildings, dwellings, apartments or other commercial, industrial or residential structures or facilities for the purpose of housing such businesses”
- “Purchase, lease trade, exchange or otherwise acquire…real and personal property…”
- “Solicit and receive gifts of money of real or personal property…”
IDI’s Board of Directors is appointed by the Grand Junction Area Chamber Board and includes representatives from finance, real estate, construction and development. The Chamber CEO serves as the Executive Director of the entity.
Since 1959, IDI has developed four industrial parks (including Foresight Park, Colorado West Improvements, Inc., Bookcliff Tech Park and Air Tech Park) and played a role in the growth and/or expansion of over 30 companies. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership was born out of IDI in the mid-1980s to be a more concentrated response to the oil shale bust and IDI provided seed funding for the establishment of what was then Mesa County Economic Development. IDI was also a key player in the location of Western Colorado Community College through a land swap in the early 90s.
Most recently IDI has offered land at a discounted price for the expansion of Timber Leaf Trailers and Leitner Poma. The entity also manages incentive funds from the City of Grand Junction for expanding companies such as West Star Aviation.
“Putting land under projects and maximizing public investments in primary job creation is the ongoing mission of IDI,” noted Katie Powell, President of IDI recently. Today the corporation still owns approximately 10 Acres of shovel-ready industrial property in Bookcliff Technology Park and is looking for donations of additional property to be used for economic development.