Upstate Colorado has come in ahead of schedule in job-creation goals set in 2009, with more than 5,000 jobs created in just four years instead of five.

The Weld County economic development organization has seen 5,350 new jobs created as a result of new company attraction or the expansion of existing companies in the area as of this month.

There are a lot of factors that have contributed to the improved employment situation in Weld, though a better economy helped considerably. But Upstate also developed a campaign to get the county’s unemployment rate down, which included the creation of a Leadership Council.

The Leadership Council was created in order to “identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities,” and “select and fund initiatives with the potential to transform Weld County’s economy,” according to the campaign’s brochure.

The council consisted of 35 business and community representatives whose organizations committed to donations of $10,000 or more for five years, beginning back in 2009.

Prior to launching the campaign, Upstate had only three investors who donated $10,000 or more per year.

Conversation surrounding job creation