Craig Daily Press / Business

Weather delays Tebo Center opening until July

In December 2011 Stephen Tebo, of Boulder-based Tebo Development, announced plans to build a 10,477-square-foot retail complex in Craig. Tebo Center, slated to be the new home of Maurices women’s clothing store and Alabama-based Hibbett Sports, was scheduled to be open for business this month. But as of Friday, only the building’s exterior walls appear to be in place. Progress has been slow, Tebo said Friday, and a grand opening has subsequently been pushed back until later this summer.

Local landscapers prep for spring clients

With the weather of the warmer months finally turning out, it’s time to improve the visual appeal of the outdoors. The landscaping businesses of Northwest Colorado are getting ready for the rush of people looking to spruce up their homes and businesses. The staff of Bears Ears Landscapes, 1815 Moffat County Road 183, recently brought in its big shipment of flowers, trees and other plants for customers craving something new and colorful. “It’s definitely our busy time of year now that winter’s over,” owner Suzanne Meyer said.

CNCC, Commitment to Excellence to host Chamber mixer Thursday

A monthly Craig Chamber of Commerce event will feature an artistic twist this week. Colorado Northwestern Community College, 2801 W. Ninth St., will host a Chamber Ambassadors Business After-Hours Mixer from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The event, which is free and open to the public, will showcase the college’s new art collection, which represents work from artists in and around the region. Mixers are designed to offer a “networking opportunity for the business owners,” or in this case, “the college and the artists, as well as the people that come,” said Shannon Russell, Chamber ambassador liaison and membership director.

CNCC massage program's offer runs through end of the month

Time is running out to take advantage of a great deal that will help you relax and assist in the education of someone learning a trade. The massage therapy program of Colorado Northwestern Community College’s Craig campus, 2801 W. Ninth St., will continue its offer of massage sessions through May 1, after which point the students enrolled for the spring semester will be moving on. At a rate of $25 per hour, customers can get an affordable session while helping students perfect their craft. Working with paying clients in a classroom environment out of the campus’s career technical building allows the beginning massage practitioners to get a feel for how a career in the field will be.

Local insurance agency widens regional business presence

While many Craig businesses work purely within the confines of city limits, one continues to push beyond the boundaries of Northwest Colorado. As of the beginning of April, Mountain West Insurance & Financial Services LLC, 100 E. Victory Way, has a new component to its business with the acquisition of the Grand Junction company Valley Financial Services, Inc. Merging with the business, Mountain West adds nine Valley Financial employees to its ranks. Sue Voloshin, operations manager for Mountain West, said the addition, the process of which began in October 2011, will give the business an extra wealth of experience in the insurance industry. “They’re very strong in life and health benefits, so by combining with them it increased our footprint on the Western Slope and lets them use expertise with our clients,” she said. “It also gives them a chance to do more with property and casualty, which is what we’re strong in. It works for both organizations.”

IRS offers online assistance leading up to income tax deadline

The annual task of finishing an income tax return is one many people put off until the very last minute. Even for those well-practiced in procrastination, the homestretch before the final deadline doesn’t have to be terrifying. With an extra two days this year to complete and submit federal and state tax returns for 2011, there’s less need to panic about being late. Besides the traditional April 15 date falling on a Sunday, the Washington, D.C. holiday, Emancipation Day, is April 16, making this year’s deadline April 17. Compiling all your forms, receipts and various accoutrements to take to your accountant could be difficult at this point, with tax experts experiencing their undoubtedly busiest time of year, and even using TurboTax software might be complex without someone to take you through it step by step.

New products and old favorites highlight Spring Expo

It’s been a Craig staple for almost three decades and an event as much about good times as it is local businesses. The 29th annual KRAI and 55 Country Spring Expo begins at noon today at Centennial Mall, 1111 W. Victory Way, featuring a range of local businesses and nonprofit groups. The expo is designed for businesses to showcase new products and services, and provide customers with an opportunity to purchase items for home, work and play. KRAI owner Frank Hanel said Saturday’s weenie dog and crawling baby races are the weekend’s main draws.

Discount ticket rates available for 2012-13 concert season

A night of culture for an affordable price is sometimes hard to find. Even so, if you act now, you can keep your wallet stocked and still get a good experience. Tickets are now on sale for the Craig Concert Association’s 2012-13 series. The organization recently announced it will offer a deal for early birds to renew or purchase a membership at the same rate as the 2011-12 season. Season tickets are $35 for adults, $10 for students and $80 for a family of two adults with any number of children. The CCA’s final show of the season ,Richie Lee & The Fabulous ’50s, is May 1 and the last opportunity to get tickets at this rate.

Chamber officials: Repairing relationship with veteran group a high priority

To rebuild relations with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4265, the Craig Chamber of Commerce Board decided to go against one of its policies by offering the local nonprofit free membership. The board decision was reached after VFW members attended the monthly Chamber Board meeting in February to discuss a rental payment for the Marcia Car lot or to explore ideas to have the train car removed from VFW property. The VFW had been a longtime member of the Chamber, but cancelled its membership more than a year ago, Chamber Director Christina Oxley said. The Chamber Board discussed March 8 ways to bring the VFW back into the organization and keep the Marcia Car in its present location.

Hauling service open to all orders

Whether you need something big moved for work, home or otherwise, sometimes you require a little help. Fortunately there’s a business designed to pick up the slack. 4 Energy Hotshot Services, LLC, 74 N. Linda Vista Dr., is newly instituted transport company for those needing to move large loads in a hurry. Though the owners had a specific clientele in mind when they first completed business paperwork in January, they have already considered branching out.

Letter: Dinosaur is a jewel of Moffat County

In response to Moffat County Tourism Association Board member and Bedrock Depot owner Leona Hemmerich’s letter published in Friday’s Craig Daily Press, I’d like to say we’re truly disappointed when any member doesn’t see value to Chamber membership, but especially a business located in what we consider to be one of the jewels of Moffat County.

Real estate transactions

A listing of recent real estate sales and purchases in Moffat County

YVDP unveils Community Indicators Project report

The number of nonprofit organizations in Moffat County and the average hourly wage for local employees is on the rise. That information, along with other statistics, comes from the 2012-13 Community Indicators Project report, recently released by Yampa Valley Data Partners. “It’s meant to be a reference guide for people working on a variety of projects,” YVDP Executive Director Kate Nowak said. “It has a lot of great community information people may need when building a business plan or when nonprofits need to apply for a grant.” YVDP began the project in 2006 to measure quality of life in the Yampa Valley by studying the health of civic, economic, environmental and social factors in Moffat and Routt counties.

Financial expert to speak about technology opportunities

If you’ve got extra funds put away for a rainy day, now might be the time to break them out and get your portfolio to see some growth. And, if you get involved with the right business venture, you might be strengthening the world around you, as well. As part of this month’s 5:05 Drinks Program, Yampa Valley Data Partners will host special guest speaker Sam Jones with the presentation “Investing Your Money: Clean & Green.” Jones, of Steamboat Springs, is the president of Denver-based business All Season Financial Advisors. He will discuss potential investments in the field of green energy, especially those that would be appealing to Northwest Colorado residents. Organizer Kate Nowak said Jones has been quoted in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Post and SmartMoney Magazine.

Bank of Colorado names new Craig branch president

When Alisa Corey was 21, many of her friends were in college studying and preparing for the professional, working world. Corey, on the other hand, embraced her Gunnison ranch upbringing and decided to ride the rodeo circuit as a barrel racer. Although still passionate about horses, Corey knew she wanted more out of life than working minimum wage jobs to supplement her passion for riding. So, at age 22, Corey followed the path of many of her friends and went to college.