West Valley Business - 07.07.21

west valley

Volume 32 Issue 34 Goodyear, AZ

July 7, 2021

Business Briefcase

BY LAUREN SERRATO

West Valley View Staff Writer

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ello, and welcome back to Business Briefcase! Last week, we focused on a business program available to business owners in Goodyear. During such an unprecedented time for owners throughout the state, we wanted to make sure to highlight other resources available throughout the West Valley.

This week we will take a look at what Buckeye has to offer its business owners, specifically how the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce is here to help support and boost large and small businesses in the city during the pandemic.

Here’s a look at Buckeye’s program that focuses on supporting local businesses.

Shop Buckeye

IN THE BIZ

The Shop Buckeye initiative was launched by the city of Buckeye and the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce in January to support businesses during the Arizona Department of Transportation I-10 widening project.

The initiative allows for business owners to have access to resources needed to market and communicate to their customers. The intention was to also create an extra incentive for Buckeye residents to shop local.

Resources include regular business meetings with ADOT, city and chamber staff, marketing materials, social media and website graphics, seminars Public Notices ............... page 3 © Copyright, 2021 West Valley View, Inc.

and training, and a business toolkit.

As the use of social media and technology continues to grow, especially during the pandemic, the city recognizes the increase and is also offering professionally produced videos to help spotlight the business.

The 60- to 90-second videos are free to Buckeye business owners and can be used on the company’s business website and social media channels.

The chamber will also share the videos on its social media channels to increase awareness of the business.

Business owners can participate by scheduling a time in advance and complete a form with a list of questions.

Video production will be available on most Fridays in two-hour increments.

For more information on the available resources and how to access them, visit buckeyevalleychamber.org or email shopbuckeye@buckeyevalleychamber.org with questions.

1-10 Widening Project The Arizona Department of Transportation is making improvements to Interstate 10 between State Route 85 and Verrado Way in Buckeye.

Expected to begin this month, the project’s goal is to make the area safer for everyone.

Major elements of the project include adding one general purpose lane in each direction along the median from SR 85 to Verrado Way, reconstructing traffic interchanges at Miller and (USPS 004-616) is published weekly

Mailing Address: 250 Litchfield Rd., #130 Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 535-VIEW • 535-8439

Steven Strickbine, publisher Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Executive Editor

Watson roads to a diverging diamond design, reconstructing and widening Miller and Watson roads at I-10, adding new drainage facilities, adding sound walls along I-10, and installing a freeway management system.

The city of Buckeye also announced things to keep in mind until the project is complete, including periodic restrictions and closures on I-10, interchange ramps, and the cross streets at Watson and Miller roads.

ADOT will provide notices in advance about any restrictions or closures during construction.

The Miller Road interchange will be the first on the list to be completed, followed by the Watson Road interchange.

The entire project is expected to take two years to complete.

For more information on the I-10 Widening Project, visit buckeyeaz.gov/ residents/i-10-widening-project.

Mindset Shift Workshops Justin Thorstad, transformation coach and founder and designated broker of Goodyear-based Libertas Real Estate, is hosting Mindset Shift Workshops designed to help people find success in business and personal lives. The next one is 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 13.

Thorstad will walk guests through his personal approach to becoming one’s best self, based on his own intense research and self-education. Thorstad inspires at-

Briefcase...continued on page 3 Subscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year.

Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ 85026.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: West Valley View, 250 Litchfield Rd., #130 Goodyear, AZ 85338

Avolta breaks ground on the state’s first biogas project

BY LAUREN SERRATO

West Valley View Staff Writer

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volta, a renewable energy company focused on originating, developing, owning and operating renewable natural gas projects, and its regional development partner, Atlas Global Holdings LLC, broke ground at the Butterfield and Milky Way dairies in Buckeye on June 29.

The groundbreaking officially kicks off the first of two RNG Projects at the Butterfield and Milky Way dairies.

“Avolta is pleased to expand into Arizona with the new RNG upgrading facility at Butterfield Dairy. The Butterfield RNG Facility will positively impact the environment while simultaneously providing benefits to the de Jong family farming operation,” said Gov Siegel, co-founder of Avolta, in a press release.

Butterfield and Milky Way dairies care for more than 50,000 cows. The two projects will generate over 675,000 MMBtu of RNG annually, which will ultimately be distributed as a renewable transportation fuel.

To better understand the effect of the renewable energy that will be created, Siegel broke it down during the event.

“For those of you who aren’t natural gas people, MMBtu is sort of the way the gas people measure gas. Just like you fill up gallons at the pump in your car, or you buy a gallon of milk, gas is measured in MMBtu. So what does that really mean?

That’s the equivalent of taking 8,000 cars a year off the road,” he said.

The projects will allow gas to be delivered into a Southwest Gas pipeline at the end of the fourth quarter 2021 and first quarter 2022.

Both facilities will be operated and maintained by Nacelle Solutions, a gas technology and service company with design and operational expertise in both the oil, gas and biogas industries.

“This will be the first in a series of projects in Arizona that uphold our commitment to supporting the dairy industry and providing economic opportunities to local communities all while reducing the impact on the environ-

Attending the Avolta groundbreaking was Patrick Graney of Avolta, Andrew de Jong of Butterfield Dairy, Jacob de Jong of Butterfield Dairy, Tommy de Jong Sr. of Butterfield Dairy, Gov Siegel of Avolta, Tommy de Jong Jr. of Butterfield Dairy, Gov Graney of Avolta and Dan Callahan of Atlas Global Holdings.

(Photo by Ivan Martinez Photography)

ment,” Siegel said.

Dairy-based biogas systems use anaerobic digestion to convert manure into biogas. The dairy manure streams are diverted and stored in digestors to allow the bacteria to “digest” the manure. As the manure is digested, methane is created. The methane gas is then processed to pipeline quality gas before being injected into the nearest gas pipeline.

In addition to providing a renewable, sustainable energy source, the RNG facility will create local jobs; provide several benefits to the farming operation; and provide a renewable, sustainable energy source.

Amy Washburn, with Southwest Gas, one of the partners on the project helping to invest and construct an interconnect that will help bring the RNG produced at the dairy to market, said the facility is a testament to the growth of Buckeye and its commitment to helping the environment.

“This location today is just another example of the growth of the Valley, and Southwest Gas is excited to be part of that and support that growth as our service territory grows and we have more opportunities to provide safe and reliable service. We’re excited to eventually have renewable natural gas in our service territory to be able to offer our customers,” Washburn said.

Biogas is being produced in all 50

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states, and the industry is expected to continue to grow. For farmers, the combined anaerobic digestors and RNG upgrading facilities provide optimized waste management solutions to the dairy operations, help create long-term financial stability through gas sales, and provide an organic cow bedding supply.

As for the dairy, Tommy de Jong Sr., the family patriarch, said the project will be beneficial for Butterfield Dairy and the environment.

“Since our family began farming in 1620, we have continuously improved our operations and processes to remain competitive and be a good steward of the land. Most recently we designed Butterfield Dairy to be carbon neutral through managing our water to support crops and capture carbon dioxide,” he said. “This RNG project with Atlas and Avolta is the next phase in this tradition of continuous improvement with many benefits for our farming operation and the environment.”

Siegel made it clear that the impact of converting waste to energy is going to benefit both the environment and the community.

“Why do we do this? This really has three big impacts. It has an impact on farms, it has an impact on the community and it has an impact on the environment,” Siegel said. “This is a lot of energy that would otherwise be in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.”

JULY 7, 2021

Briefcase...continued from page 1 tendees to become elevated versions of themselves and to reach for everything they desire. Also in this workshop, he helps people set goals to increase business heading into the third quarter, adjust to the current market, and build their businesses by leading with value.

Thorstad teaches tangible, groundbreaking techniques to help people shift their mindset for success, develop inspiring and empowering visions for their future, and formulate a strategic approach to upgrade all aspects of their lives. He also provides guests with a step-by-step marketing plan to help them build their business and create immediate results.

Admission is free; registration required via eventbrite. Search for Mindset Shift tickets. For more information, email libertas.classes@libertasrealestate.com or visit libertasrealestate.com.

Have an item for Business Briefcase?

Please email your business news and tips to Lauren Serrato at lserrato@timespublications.com

Public Notice INVITATION TO BID Bids: August 19, 2021 – 1:00pm Project: Highlands Park Dr and Regent Street CFD Landscape Improvements DMB White Tank LLC seeks qualified General Contractors, with a minimum CR-21 Landscaping and Irrigation Systems, to submit sealed bids for the above referenced project which consists of, but is not limited to, all work associated with installation of the landscape and irrigation in accordance with the plans and specifications (the “Work”). The Successful Contractor shall be responsible for all coordination associated with the Work. Copies of the plans, bid documents and detailed information for this project will be available on July 15, 2021. All interested parties should contact Deana Burris at dburris@dmbinc.com to obtain access to the electronic bid documents. Please reference the project name listed above in the email subject line.

Home Watch accredited

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BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

strella Mountain Home Watch Services Plus was accredited by the National Home Watch Association.

The NHWA was formed in 2009 to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada.

Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at a vacation or primary house while residents are not home.

Rick and Shannon Thomson moved to Estrella Mountain Ranch and wanted to build a type of business that would serve the community.

Prior to starting his Home Watch business, Rick worked for years in logistics and transportation management, as well as project management.

He spent his early years working in golf course design and construction.

Shannon is a Realtor and has experience in real estate sales and property

contract to per-form the Work, or as liquidated damages in the event the Con-tractor refuses or fails to enter into the Contract with DMB White Tank LLC upon award. The bonds will be returned to all Contractors whose bids are not awarded the Contract, and to the successful Contractor, upon execution of the Contract, and receipt of Payment and Performance bonds for the Work.

The cost for providing Payment and Performance bonds shall be included in the bid submittal. A Payment and Performance bond will be required in the amount of 100% of the original Contract value for the duration of the Contract. All bidders shall be required to submit, with their bid proposal, a completed Certificate of Insurance evidencing their ability to meet the insurance requirements for this project. The Contractor shall carry property damage and public liability insurance and shall hold and save harmless DMB White Tank LLC, the City of Buckeye and the Verrado District 1 Community Facilities District from any

A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting will be held on July 21, 2021 at 1:00pm. The pre-bid meeting will be held via Zoom call. A meeting invitation will be sent to all interested parties. Sealed bids will be received until 1:00pm on August 19, 2021 at the DMB Verrado Offices – 4236 N. Verrado Way Suite A200, Buckeye, AZ 85396. Bids submitted after 1:00pm will not be accepted.

Bids will be opened privately but read aloud at 1:05pm via Zoom call. A meeting invitation will be sent to all interested parties.

Unless all bids are rejected, the Con-tract will be awarded within twenty-one (21) days. The Contract will be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder that submits a complete and accurate bid. A complete and accurate bid will include all information requested in the bid documents. Every bid made by a Contractor pursuant to this Notice shall be accompanied by a surety bond for ten percent (10%) of the bid amount, listing DMB White Tank LLC as the Obligee, as a guarantee that the Contractor will enter into a

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management.

As local homeowners and full-time Estrella Mountain Ranch residents, the Thomsons saw an opportunity to help and serve their neighbors.

Estrella Mountain Home Watch Services Plus offers Home Watch, maintenance, key holder, concierge and real estate services to provide clients a niche, one-stop shop. Clients include snowbirds, second homeowners, vacationers and investors.

When they are not working, Rick and Shannon enjoy hiking and exploring the area and spending time with family and friends, as well as volunteering in local organizations. Their goal is to build a business structure that can support Rick and Shannon’s idea of financial yearly support to nonprofit organizations within the community they live in, supporting others by giving back.

Estrella Mountain Home Watch Services Plus serves Goodyear. For more information, call 602-920-7175, email rickrthom@yahoo.com or visit estrellamountainhomewatch.com.

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employer’s liability and from any and all liens for materials or labor in connection with this Work as specified in the bid documents.

Any bids submitted without the bid bond, certificate of insurance and any other items as required in the bid documents will be deemed incomplete, and will be rejected. DMB White Tank LLC reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to withhold the award for any reason DMB White Tank LLC determines necessary and appropriate. Award of the successful bid shall be subject to approval by DMB White Tank LLC or its representatives.

Interested parties shall refer to the bid package and addendums for further information, or contact Deana Burris at dburris@dmbinc. com – reference Highlands Park Dr and Regent Street CFD Landscape Improvements. No engineer’s estimate will be distributed.

JULY 7, 2021

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