Southwest Windpower, the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators, today announced the acquisition of SunWind Solutions, an advanced software developer for renewable energy systems. The acquisition supports Southwest Windpower’s underlying ambition to make clean, affordable energy available to everyone. SunWind Solutions’ core competency lies in the development of web-based software that makes renewable energy system configuration simple. This software allows for the easy … [Read more...] about Southwest Windpower Acquires SunWind Solutions
Local News
Next Steps for Arizona Snowbowl
Flagstaff Business News recently spoke with Arizona Snowbowl Manager, J.R. Murray. FBN: What is the next step for Arizona Snowbowl? Murray: Start construction (of the pipeline and snowmaking infrastructure) in the spring of 2011 and we would begin making snow in the fall. There will be about 232 jobs created during construction. FBN: How will snowmaking extend the skiing season at Arizona Snowbowl? Murray: Extending the … [Read more...] about Next Steps for Arizona Snowbowl
Flagstaff’s Youngest Businessmen Finding Success
When you are seven years old, you are probably not worrying about a slow economy, even if you are trying to sell thousands of dollars of popcorn. One Flagstaff Boy Scout named Austin, armed with a good attitude and inner drive, sold more than $1,600 in popcorn during this fall’s fundraiser, which just ended. He was among 1,200 boys who canvassed Northern Arizona neighborhoods raising money. Austin spent a great deal of time knocking on Flagstaff doors and selling to … [Read more...] about Flagstaff’s Youngest Businessmen Finding Success
Local Businesses Optimistic About Holiday Shopping
From small independent shops to large nationwide retailers, Flagstaff businesses are looking forward to customers’ increasing confidence in the economy and planned generosity with gifts. In fact, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates sales to be up this November and December, the traditional holiday sales period, by 2.3 percent across the United States. That is a marked improvement over the dismal 3.9 percent drop in sales in 2008 and the 0.4 percent gain in … [Read more...] about Local Businesses Optimistic About Holiday Shopping
Lean, Green, Exhaust-Fighting Machines
Automotive acronyms like 4x4, SUV and FWD readily roll off the tongues of most Northern Arizona consumers. But when a new generation of electric vehicles rolls off assembly lines later this year, auto aficionados will be speaking a new acronymic language. For instance, EV translates to electric vehicle. Simple enough. Add an H and get HEV -- short for hybrid electric vehicle, while PHV means plug-in hybrid vehicle. Both the Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt are expected to be available for … [Read more...] about Lean, Green, Exhaust-Fighting Machines
Flagstaff Businesses Hope New Stores Bring Additional Traffic
When you’re short on cash and crying over bills, maybe the last thing you want to buy is flowers. Johnnie Ferguson, owner of Flagstaff Floral in the University Plaza, added that when times are tough, many people don’t see flowers as a necessity, so they don’t buy as many as they used to. She said her business has declined in the last couple of years, partly because the nearby Safeway opened a floral department. However, Ferguson sees sunny skies through these dark … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Businesses Hope New Stores Bring Additional Traffic
Economists – Slow Recovery
While it is a difficult time financially for many people, the hardships during this economic period are not unusual. That was part of the consensus among economists during the recent Flagstaff Economic Outlook Conference. The annual conference was sponsored by Chase, Northern Arizona University W.A. Franke College of Business and Flagstaff Business News. Since 1976, the conference has drawn local businesspeople eager to hear annual forecasts by prominent economists. Keynote … [Read more...] about Economists – Slow Recovery
Flagstaff Business News Goes to China
Flying into Beijing was like flying into a wet smokestack; the air was thick with gloom and rain. Breaking through layers of beige clouds, the ground below extended for miles – make that kilometers – in a brown expanse fragmented by drab buildings and rectangles of green water. Closer to the airport, and closer to ground, I saw high rises and enough landscaping to brighten my mood. I would be in Beijing for eight days on a lecture tour at Beijing Central Music Conservatory … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Business News Goes to China
Businesses Weigh In on Snowmaking
It is high time to get snowmaking underway at Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff. That’s the opinion of 20-year Flagstaff resident, Allan Wolfenberger. As manager for Flagstaff Quickstop, he sells supplies to customers on their way to the slopes. “I think that snowmaking would make local business income more consistent, as op- posed to the up and down depending on snowfall,” said Wolfenberger. “Five or six years ago, they had 40 feet up there and 182,000 visitors with 139 … [Read more...] about Businesses Weigh In on Snowmaking
Beer Lovers Choose Cans and Keep Microbreweries Hopping
The original concept about beers in cans was ‘cheap, watered-down rice beer,’ right?” said Grand Canyon Brewing Company owner John Peasley, smiling in his Williams, Ariz. brewery. “Colorado beer manufacturer Oskar Blues turned that around; those guys only do cans.” Award-winning Oskar Blue revolutionized the microbrewery world by canning handcrafted beers in back 2002. “So now there is consumer drive, because they know that good … [Read more...] about Beer Lovers Choose Cans and Keep Microbreweries Hopping