Economic Development Director Named Public Servant of the Year by Adams County Economic Development

At an April 22 event attended by over 500 people, the Adams County Economic Development (ACED) hosted its 15th annual Adams County Excellence Awards luncheon to honor businesses and individuals for significant achievements in economic development. 

For just the third time in its 26 year history, ACED presented a "Public Servant of the Year Award."  Hazel Hartbarger, Director of Arvada Economic Development (AEDA), was honored for her outstanding contributions in the field of economic development.  In her 15 years with the City of Arvada, Hartbarger has been instrumental in implementing many successful programs, including AEDA’s national recognized business retention program; Arvada JobLINK, an online employment database serving Arvada businesses; Arvada PropertyLINK, an interactive online industrial, office, and retail real estate property database; and various business forums.  She often counsels other communities across the nation and even internationally about business retention and has presented at many conferences and informational sessions regarding AEDA’s successes.   She serves as chairperson for the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation Economic Development Professionals.  She has won numerous awards including the Economic Developers Council of Colorado “Economic Development Achievement Award.”  She is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute and served as a member of the board of directors for the Economic Developer’s Council of Colorado.  She has served on the board of directors for the Arvada Enterprise Center, Historic Olde Town Arvada Association, Red Rocks Community College Board of Advisors, and Jefferson County Business Resource Center Board of Advisors, and is a participating member of the AEDA Business Retention Committee, Arvada Chamber of Commerce, West Chamber of Commerce, and Metro North Chamber of Commerce. 

In announcing the award, emcee Gregg Moss of Channel 9 News described Hartbarger as "a fine public servant who acts with implicit integrity, kindness, and skill."

Adams County Economic Development (ACED) is a 501(c)(6) private, nonprofit, full-service economic development agency serving Adams County, its ten municipalities, 9,200 businesses and a population of more than 400,000.