A Utah-based outdoor manufacturing company, Avatar Offroad, has announced it is relocating its headquarters to Grand Junction, bringing new jobs and investment to the Western Slope. This move marks a significant development for the region's growing economy. Avatar Offroad specializes in designing and manufacturing custom adventure vehicle accessories, which include specialized storage systems, durable roof racks, and robust ladders, alongside other products crafted for outdoor travel and exploration.
Grand Junction was identified as an attractive destination for Avatar Offroad due to the area’s well-known reputation for extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Curtis Englehart, Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP), explained that the company was specifically seeking a community whose office culture and overall company culture aligned with its deep connection to the outdoor industry. Englehart stated that Avatar Offroad was looking for a location that embraced the outdoor space, outdoor industry, and the local quality of life.
The relocation is backed by several key entities committed to fostering economic growth in Colorado. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, and Governor Jared Polis have all indicated that this move will help support the state's economic expansion and create additional job opportunities. Englehart confirmed that Avatar Offroad is projected to generate approximately 40 net new jobs over an eight-year period. These positions will be within the outdoor manufacturing space, which Englehart noted is one of the industries the GJEP focuses on heavily for regional development.
This move also means Avatar Offroad will join the list of companies participating in the Rural Jump-Start program. Mesa County currently leads the state in the number of companies engaged in this initiative. Through the program, Avatar Offroad will receive a $15,000 grant and four years of tax benefits. Officials describe these incentives as tools specifically designed to help businesses establish and grow their operations in rural Colorado communities. Englehart detailed that the program provides a reimbursable grant and allows for the waiver of some state and local income taxes for up to an eight-year period.
Further demonstrating its commitment to the local community, Avatar Offroad is also partnering with Colorado Mesa University. This collaboration is designed to create valuable internship and job opportunities for students who are pursuing careers in the outdoor manufacturing industry. Community leaders anticipate that this partnership will yield benefits for the company, the university, and the local emerging workforce, according to Englehart.
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership highlighted that Mesa County's economy continues on a path of diversification. Leaders within the partnership express hope that attracting companies like Avatar Offroad will pave the way for additional businesses to consider relocating to the area in the future.
While the announcement provided details on the relocation itself, it did not specify an expected start date for Avatar Offroad’s move to Grand Junction.
