With all the bad news circulating about the economy today, we’re happy to announce that Denver’s economic climate seems to be stabilizing in 2009. At least, that’s the word from the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC). Some of the drivers for the determination were consumer confidence, home sales, stock market stabilization and workforce indicators.

At 7.6%, the unemployment rate for Metro Denver is 1.2% lower than the national average. Unemployment claims from March to April of this year decreased by 9%. With the region’s high-tech and highly education workforce, companies continue to expand and take advantage of those amenities. In that same vein, 3000 jobs were added by Metro Denver employers between March and April.

New business is coming into the region, too. DaVita Inc., a California-based business, is moving its headquarters to Denver. The Fortune 500 Company conducts nationwide dialysis clinics. DaVita Inc. decided to relocate to the area due to the state’s central location and low cost of living and business operating expenses.

Commercial real estate developer, Nicholas Partnership, just finished building a brand spanking new, 42-story retail and condominium development. The Spire proudly stands across the street, facing the Colorado Convention Center.

Metro Denver’s stimulus funds are financing facilities for new energy research support jobs that will be available by the year 2010. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently broke ground on a 218,000 square foot building in Golden. Additional stimulus dollars are funding youth internships, along with training for high-demand careers in aerospace, bioscience, energy and information technology.

Real estate is looking up in Metro Denver. Although, numbers did increase from March to April, foreclosures in the region fell by 14.2% year-to-date. That looks pretty good from any standpoint!