DENVER
Comcast workers to paint three shelters
More than 300 Comcast employee volunteers are planning to clean and paint three shelters for the homeless and abuse victims in the Denver area Saturday as part of the cable company’s fifth annual Comcast Cares Day.
Employees and their families – 30,000 nationwide – will donate 180,000 hours of service on that day. The Comcast Foundation will also give more than $1 million in grants to the local community partner organizations on behalf of employees and family members who volunteer.
AURORA
$2 billion project set for I-70 and E-470
South Carolina-based RealtiCorp. is planning a mixed-use development at Interstate 70 and E-470 in Aurora.
The $2 billion project, called Horizon City Center, will include 2,800 residential units, 3 million square feet of commercial space and 1 million square feet of retail, said Alan Ballew, president of RealtiCorp.
The project, expected to take up to 12 years to complete, will begin late next year. About 26,000 people could eventually work there.
DENVER
NREL, Xcel join on solar energy project
The Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Xcel Energy announced a first-of-a-kind agreement Thursday to develop software to evaluate siting options for off-grid and grid-connected, commercial rooftop solar electricity systems in Colorado.
The partnership between the two organizations was developed through Xcel Energy’s Utility Innovations Program. In April, NREL approached Xcel Energy about its interest in partnering on the project.
STRATHAN, N.H.
Samsonite to make gear for Timberland
Timberland Co., the maker of hiking boots and outdoor clothing, agreed to let Denver-based Samsonite Corp. produce travel gear under the company’s brand to widen its reach overseas.
Samsonite, the world’s biggest luggagemaker, will design, manufacture and distribute a new Timberland product line for next year’s fall season, Strathan, N.H.-based Timberland said Thursday in a statement.
LONGMONT
Applied Films breaks ground in Taiwan
Applied Films Corp. announced Thursday that it broke ground earlier this week on a new production facility in Tai nan, Taiwan.
Thomas T. Edman, president and chief executive, was joined by Taiwanese officials in breaking ground on the $10 million facility in the Southern Taiwan Science Park.
OAKLAND, Calif.
Kaiser reaches pact with union workers
Kaiser Permanente and its unionized workers announced a five-year contract Thursday covering 82,000 employees in eight states, including Colorado, and Washington, D.C.
The HMO and union officials said the contract covers nearly all Kaiser employees – except doctors – at more than 400 facilities. It includes annual pay raises of up to 5 percent in the first year and more money for benefits and training.
SAN FRANCISCO
Sirna, Allergan join on eye treatments
Sirna Therapeutics Inc. said it will work with Allergan Inc., maker of the dry-eye medicine Restasis, to develop gene-based treatments for age-related macular degeneration and other eye- related diseases.
The company will get an initial payment of $5 million from Allergan and be eligible for as much as $245 million more when certain milestones, such as approval by the Food and Drug Administration, are reached, said chief executive Howard Robin.
FORT WORTH, Texas
Airline eases switch to an earlier flight
American Airlines is making it easier to hop on an earlier flight if you’re ready to go before your original flight leaves – but it will cost you a few bucks.
Fort Worth-based American unveiled a new policy Thursday that allows travelers to change plans at the last minute and get a confirmed seat on a different flight for a $25 fee.
GILBERTON, Pa.
Plant to convert coal into diesel, heating oil
The nation’s first commercial plant to convert waste coal into zero-sulfur diesel fuel and home-heating oil will be constructed in Pennsylvania, state officials said Thursday.
Waste Management and Processors Inc. in Gilberton plans to begin the $612 million project next spring in Mahanoy Township that will use a technology first developed by German scientists in the 1920s.
DETROIT
Ford aims to improve rapport with suppliers
In an effort to cut costs and improve its strained relationship with suppliers, Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it plans to pare down the number of suppliers it uses and give the remaining ones bigger, longer-term contracts and more involvement in the design process.
Tony Brown, Ford’s senior vice president for global purchasing, said Ford will identify strategic suppliers, involve them at the beginning of a vehicle’s design process and give them money up front for engineering and development.
SEATTLE
Machinists OK new pact with Boeing
Boeing Co.’s Machinists union on Thursday approved the company’s latest contract offer, ending a month-long strike against the world’s second-largest maker of commercial jets. Workers were expected to return to work as early as 11 p.m. Thursday, Seattle time.
Eighty percent of the 19,000-member union voted to ratify the three-year contract, a union spokeswoman said.
