1. Economic Impact of Extending Broadband in Morgan County
Jack Fischer
Ryan Thompson

2. Who are we? Morgan County, CO
Morgan county census: 28,360 (2015 estimate)
County seat is Fort Morgan, pop: 10,844. Founded in 1889
Located on I-76, which connects I-70 to I-80, and is located near the I-25 corridor of Colorado
The three largest cities are Fort Morgan, Brush and Wiggins
Morgan County is a fairly rural county, and a large portion of the economy is agriculture based
Aging population - Stagnant Growth
Stagnant Population growth over the past five years
58 people moved into the county from
Only growth over the past decade has been in older age groups (40+)

3. Introduction Our goal? How? Base Analysis Asset Analysis
Determine what impact implementing broadband in Morgan County could have on the economy and new business developments in niche food and beverage manufacturing
How?
Base Analysis
Asset Analysis
Economic Impact

4. Base Analysis: Current Economic Drivers
Compared Morgan County to five other counties: Weld, Denver/Metro, Logan, Mesa and Eagle
Largest driver: agribusiness (33.01%)
Comparative counties:
Eagle (1.08%)
Mesa (4.62%)
Logan (15.86%)
Denver (2.19%)
Weld (12.69%)
Leprino Foods and Cargill
Cargill employs over 2,100 people in Fort Morgan
About ⅓ of Morgan County jobs are agribusiness
Stagnant industry over the last 10 years

5. Base Analysis: LQ’s and Multipliers
Morgan County’s F & B Manu. LQ:
Yuma: 0.30, Logan: 0.59, Weld: 5.99, Denver 1.28.
Roughly 94.99% F & B Manufacturing Industry is Exported!
Morgan County’s Multiplier: 1.51
Logan: 1.55, Weld: 1.78
The entire region has similar growth opportunity, yet Morgan County is optimized for Agribusiness
Comparative advantage in agribusiness

6. Base Analysis: Potential New Drivers
Although growth has been stagnant…
Agribusiness is a massive industry in Morgan County, even compared to other agricultural counties
Bolster agribusiness sector by identifying new niche market for growth
Niche and Specialty Meat Processors (Bison, grass-fed beef, Organic)
Small companies have already arisen (focusing on Bison and organic meats)
Currently, there are only 8 proprietors in Food/Bev Manufacturing
Impact of broadband?
Skype, websites, contact new importers

7. Asset Analysis Demographics
Infrastructure: Morgan Community College and hospital
Location
Recreation & Climate

8. Asset Analysis Education demographics:
65.3% of Morgan County’s workforce has a high school diploma, some college or an Associate’s Degree
Colorado average: 52.9%
Ideal education level for the agribusiness workforce
Many workers already specialized in agribusiness
Have background knowledge on starting and managing agribusiness firms

9. Asset Analysis: Infrastructure
Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO
Offers programs in Rural Business Entrepreneurship, Business Mgmt, Advanced Agriculture
Provides our citizens with ample opportunities to succeed in Niche Meat industry
Colorado Plains Medical Center
Serves a two-county area
Level III Trauma Center, 24-hour Emergency Room

10. Asset Analysis: Location
Transportation infrastructure is strong!
Approximately 80 miles northeast of DIA
45 minute drive from the county border
I-76: Connecting I-70 to I-80
Easy shipping access to the West and the Midwest
Fort Morgan: Large stop for BNSF and Amtrak Railways
International shipping through railroad and major airport
Lower cost of living than Front Range
Front Range is still easily accessible for recreation
Close to Front Range - which has ample broadband

11. Asset Analysis: Recreation and Climate
Eldora Ski Resort & Copper Mountain are easily accessible
Easy access to Rocky Mountain National Park and the Front Range (Denver)
Ideal climate: 240 days of sunshine per year, mild winters
Jackson Lake State Park
South Platte
Above average amenities distribution according to USDA

12. Economic Implications
So what?
Signs of growth, but very weak growth overall
What can Broadband do?
Brush Meat Processors and other start-ups showing signs of growth
Commuters
Growing demand for industry
Growing population across Colorado
Summary

13. So What?
Ample Opportunities for Growth within Agribusiness sector of Morgan County
Mining, Agriculture & Manufacturing responsible for 40% job growth in Morgan
“Morgan County citizens have had roots in meat processing for years” - Ace Ward, Director of Operations at Brush Meat Processors
Damaging: Young population growth (35 & younger) has been stagnant since 2000
Decreases are because of lower net in-migration than previous decades
MCC and broadband can help with that!

14. What Can Broadband Do?
Brush Meat Processors - Ace Ward, Director of Operations
Found through secondary website
Since 2014, employees have more than doubled
“Growth can be difficult with little access to broadband”
Currently using a bridge network from Denver - Spotty
“I think any industry would benefit from better internet, but it’s just too expensive for us to get on our own”
Start-ups are arising and have shown the capacity for growth in niche meat manufacturing
The businesses proved to be extremely difficult to find --- only through secondary websites
Better internet could expand business potential to the national/international level

15. Commuters
Despite having a specialized workforce already, around 5,700 citizens commute out of the county for work
~4000 to Front Range, where there’s better internet
42% of workforce leaves county for work
Good to bring in money from other counties, but…
With broadband, workers may become lone eagles, still bringing in money from outside
Draw in proprietors and entrepreneurs from Front Range to Morgan County
Encourage citizens to start own companies within the county
All of these lead to job creation within the county!
Supply more locals with work and draw more workers to the county
Increase local revenue--and local spending!

16. What Can Broadband Do?
Demand for boutique meats such as bison is extremely high, especially along the Front Range
Population growth along the Front Range is projected to be very high
2015 (est.): 4,539,762
2030 (est.): could exceed 6,000,000
Summary
Base : Current Drivers, Potential Drivers
Asset: Location, demographics, infrastructure
Essential to provide better broadband for long run growth in Morgan County!
Not just food and beverage manufacturing but all industries in the economy

17. Questions?
Comments?

18. References
"About Us." Colorado Plains Medical Center. Colorado Plains Medical Center, n.d. Web. 12 Sept <
"Colorado LMI Gateway." Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept <
"Colorado Planning Region Reports." Colorado Demography. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Sept <
"Community Profiles." Colorado Department of Local Affairs. State Demography, n.d. Web. 26 Sept <
"Demographic Profiles - County." Colorado Department of Local Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Sept <
"Education Attainment." American FactFinder. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept <
"Fort Morgan, CO." Cargill. Cargill, n.d. Web. 31 Aug <
"Fort Morgan, CO." Leprino Foods. Leprino, n.d. Web. 31 Aug <
Horner, Iva Kay. "Bison Arrive at Brush Meat Processors." The Fort Morgan Times. N.p., 04 Apr Web. 31 Aug <
"Morgan County, Colorado Climate." Sperling's Best Places. Bestplaces.net, n.d. Web. 21 Sept <
"North Dakota Is Nation's Fastest-Growing State Since Population - Newsroom - U.S. Census Bureau." U.S. Census Bureau. N.p., 20 Dec Web. 26 Sept <

19. References cont.
"On The Map." US Census Bureau Public Information Office. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Sept <
"Population By Single Year of Age." Colorado Demography. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept <
"Programs." Morgan Community College. Morgan Community College, n.d. Web. 14 Sept <
"State Demography Website." Colorado Department of Local Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Aug <
Sylte, Allison. "Census: Denver Fastest Growing Large City in the U.S." 9News. N.p., 3 June Web. 25 Sept <
"The Employment Multiplier - An Important Tool." Triple Pundit. N.p., 4 May Web. 19 Sept <
"USDA ERS - Natural Amenities Scale." United States Department of Agriculture. Ed. David McGranahan. USDA, n.d. Web. 14 Sept < products/natural-amenities-scale.aspx>