Ski lift maker's run of business prompts move Daily Sentinel Leitner-Poma of America Inc., a Grand Junction-based manufacturer of cable transportation systems, confirmed Tuesday it is going to move to a location in the north end of town. The company plans to construct two buildings on an 18-acre site at the planned Bookcliff Technology Park at H and 27 3/4 roads near Grand Junction Regional Airport. The buildings are to measure more than 90,000 square feet, combined. Leitner-Poma President Rick Spear said construction costs should be about $15 million. The company employs 75 people and is housed on about 10 acres at Foresight Park along Patterson Road. We hope to start (construction) in October or November, said Spear, who expects the buildings to be ready for occupancy in late 2008. Spear said that the move is necessary to accommodate growth at the company, which has been located at Foresight Park for more than 25 years. The company wants to add about 100 people to its roster in the coming years. We have 40,000 square feet now, he said. The company builds a host of cable transportation systems, including ski lifts, fixed and detachable chairlifts, gondolas and aerial tramways. Leitner-Poma is working on several projects, including those in Winter Park, Vail, Steamboat Springs and Snowmass. The company also does business in Australia and New Zealand. Spear said Leitner-Poma will share some of the new buildings with its sister company, Prinoth, a producer of snow grooming machines. He added the move was made possible with assistance from the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. GJEP, a nonprofit economic development organization, secured grants valued at $300,000 each from the city of Grand Junction, Mesa County and the states Economic Development Commission to assist with Leitner-Pomas project. End of Article |