Raytheon contract may bring 300 jobs
A contract that could bring 300 jobs to Raytheon Co.’s Aurora campus may be announced as soon as Monday, according to Raytheon spokeswoman Darci Bushey. The $2 billion U.S. Air Force contract is for a ground- based satellite-control system that would grant soldiers high- speed Web access in war zones. Raytheon is Aurora’s largest private employer, with 2,600 workers.
City’s Dahlia Square negotiations extended
The Denver Urban Renewal Authority board voted Thursday to continue negotiations with former Mayor Wellington Webb’s Alliance Development Partners Inc. for another 28 days. Alliance is trying to redevelop the former Dahlia Square Shopping Center at East 33rd Avenue and Dahlia Street in Denver’s northeast Park Hill neighborhood.
Webb said the negotiations are going well but that extra time was needed to finalize agreements with users of the site. Alliance’s plan for the 8.3- acre property calls for 95 units of affordable and senior housing, 70 townhomes, 19 patio homes, a health clinic and a day- care center.
Crocs hopes to raise $135 million in IPO
Crocs Inc., the Niwot-based shoemaker known for its funky, colorful footwear, Thursday provided new details about its pending initial stock sale.
The company intends to raise up to $135 million by offering 9 million shares priced at $13 to $15 apiece, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company has reserved the ticker symbol CROX on the Nasdaq, the filing showed.
The offering’s proceeds will go to pay off debt, for general expenses and to the selling stockholders.
Coors picks ex-candy exec for marketing
Coors Brewing Co. has named Andrew J. England, a marketing veteran who was a vice president in international marketing at the Hershey Co., to head the brewer’s marketing efforts. Eng land’s appointment becomes effective Feb. 13, Coors, the U.S. subsidiary of Molson Coors, said in a release Thursday.
Utilities officials OK natural-gas rate hike
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has approved a previously negotiated settlement that will raise natural-gas bills by an average of 73 cents a month for residential customers in Colorado. Commercial customers will see natural-gas costs rise an average of $8.13 a month.
Xcel Energy originally had requested an annual increase of $34.5 million in natural-gas rates. The rate hike was contested by several groups and agencies, including the Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel and low-income energy-assistance group Energy Outreach Colorado.
The parties eventually agreed to a total annual rate increase of $22.5 million. Xcel said the higher rates are needed to maintain and expand its natural-gas delivery system.
German concern buys Mark VII Equipment
Mark VII Equipment, one of the nation’s largest touch-free carwash manufacturers, has been acquired by German-based WashTec AG, the world’s largest supplier of carwash equipment.
The cash deal, which is to close by Jan. 31, will enable Arvada-based Mark VII to expand its Arvada operation and add to its roster of 130 local workers, said Dave Smith, president and chief executive. Christian Bernert of WashTec AG will head the operation, Smith said.
Eastern Mountain Sports closing 2 stores
Peterborough, N.H.-based Eastern Mountain Sports on Thursday said it will close its Boulder store next week and its Fort Collins store next month. A company spokeswoman declined to say how many employees will lose their jobs. The company’s remaining Colorado store is in Glendale.
Invenergy plans 2nd wind farm near Peetz
Chicago-based Invenergy Wind LLC said it plans to build a 200-megawatt wind farm near Peetz in northeastern Colorado.
The wind farm will consist of 133 turbines that at peak generation capacity will supply enough power to serve about 60,000 households. Xcel Energy has agreed to purchase the power generated by the facility. Invenergy last year built a 60-megawatt wind farm near Peetz in Logan County.
Pixar, Disney shares rise on merger talks
Shares of Pixar, creator of “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo,” rose to a record on optimism that the company may be bought by the Walt Disney Co. Disney stock had its biggest increase in almost two years.
The companies are in talks for Disney to buy some or all of Pixar, according to a person who has been briefed on the negotiations. Pixar shares rose $1.61, or 2.8 percent, to $58.87 at 4 p.m. in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading.
Investors tepid on Home Depot’s plans
The Home Depot Inc.’s bold five-year plan announced Thursday to shift more of its overall sales away from its retail core to its division serving professional contractors got a lukewarm response from investors.
The company said it would slow the pace of new store openings but still maintain strong earnings growth.
