As GlobeSt.com reported on Wednesday, Rio Tinto Minerals is moving its world headquarters to the Denver area. It is looking for about 100,000 sf of a combination of office and lab space. Tim Harrington and Ryan Stout of the Denver office of Grubb & Ellis are focusing along the southeast corridor for a home for the company.

"We are moving our headquarters to Denver to remain competitive and improve our ability to serve our customers," said president and chief operating officer Gary Goldberg in a statement. "The move will lower costs and improve access to several of our operations." Goldberg was unable to attend the luncheon because of business obligations in London, where the parent company is headquartered.

Company officials said during the lunch that Denver was chosen for the global headquarters because of its highly educated workforce; the city's proximity to its operations in North America; the Denver International Airport, which allows executives to easily crises cross the country, as well as world-wide destinations; and because of the quality of life.