Annual fundraising effort helps support ADC mission

Aurora Development Corporation is wrapping up our annual funding campaign, joining many other local organizations that kick off the year by investing in the future of our community. We are incredibly grateful for the many businesses and individuals who already support our efforts to strengthen Aurora. At the same time, this is a great opportunity to share more about who we are, how we operate, and the role we play in local growth.
Founded more than 60 years ago, Aurora Development Corporation was established as a for-profit corporation — a structure we continue today. This means we pay income tax and are owned by shareholders. Currently, 219 shareholders hold 3,803 shares, representing a strong network of local businesses and individuals who are invested in the long-term success of our community.
Over the years, funds raised through the sale of shares have been strategically reinvested into development projects across Aurora. From industrial parks to housing subdivisions and the new developments south of town, these investments have helped shape the community we see today. Rather than distributing dividends, shareholders and our volunteer board of directors have chosen to reinvest earnings back into projects that drive continued growth — creating lasting value for the entire community.
In 2019, as the organization prepared to hire a new director, the board made a forward-thinking decision to preserve these reinvestment efforts by establishing a secondary revenue stream. This led to the creation of our annual funding campaign, which supports day-to-day operations such as staffing, training, and office expenses — ensuring we can continue to serve the community without slowing development momentum.
For those less familiar with Aurora Development Corporation, it’s natural to wonder why businesses and individuals choose to support our work. The answer often comes down to both direct and indirect benefits.
Direct benefits are the services you can see and experience firsthand. These include business retention and expansion interviews, support for downtown revitalization grant efforts, assistance tailored to unique business needs, monthly business updates, community feedback sessions, and more. These efforts provide immediate value to local businesses and stakeholders.
Equally important, though sometimes less visible, are the indirect benefits. Economic development often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt community-wide. Supporting a local business through an expansion, for example, may not always be highly visible, but the results are far-reaching: new jobs, increased local services, a stronger tax base, and continued momentum for housing and commercial growth. These ripple effects help create a more vibrant, sustainable community for everyone.
While Aurora Development Corporation is not involved in every project across Aurora and Hamilton County, our role is to support and complement private sector efforts whenever possible. We believe in empowering local businesses and developers while providing the resources and connections needed to help ideas move forward.
If continued growth and opportunity are important to you, we invite you to be part of this work — whether through financial support, partnership, or volunteer involvement. We are deeply appreciative of those who already contribute to our annual funding campaign, making it possible for us to respond when opportunities arise and continue building a strong future for Aurora.

KELSEY BERGEN serves as executive director of the Aurora Development Corporation. She can be reached at kelsey@growaurora.com