West Valley View Business - 09.30.2020

west valley

Volume 31 Issue 45 Goodyear, AZ

September 30, 2020

Business Briefcase

BY TOM SCANLON

West Valley View Managing Editor

Have you noticed how Tolleson keeps popping up in Business Briefcase?

It’s because things are happening in T-town (as the hipsters call it).

After notices about jobs and development coming to Tolleson, this week’s news is on a huge, existing employer looking to improve the community.

You may need to read that last sentence again.

Meat giant JBS USA is putting the money behind its “Hometown Strong” motto, with plans to invest $1.3 million to help Tolleson “respond to needs resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and invest in the community’s future,” according to the company.

JBS is working with Tolleson leaders to fund programs aimed at food inse-

Avondale 101 Logistics—two buildings at 101st Avenue and Roosevelt Street—is ready to go.

(Photo courtesy Wespac)

curity, community infrastructure and well-being, and COVID-19 emergency response and relief efforts. Projects will be determined by the end of the year.

“Through the Hometown Strong initiative, we are partnering with our com-

IN THE BIZ

JBS, which employs 1,700 at its Tolleson plant, is boosting the city with $1.3 in community funds. (Photos courtesy JBS)

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munity to make positive contributions for our neighbors,” said Jerry Brown, JBS Tolleson plant general manager.

“We are proud of our role in providing food for our hometown and our country, but we are also grateful to be able to support other needs in Tolleson.”

Tolleson Mayor Anna Tovar likes the sound of that.

“Tolleson’s governance model is balanced on a commitment to excellence and its love of all people,” said Tovar.

“During this unprecedented crisis, JBS time and again reveals its love of its people and the community they serve, which is the hallmark of true public service. The Hometown Strong initiative represents JBS’ overwhelming generosity.”

The JBS USA Tolleson beef production facility employs more than 1,700 people with an annual payroll of more Subscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year.

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A screenplay by Todd Heilesen, left, was introduced as one of 10 finalists by screenwriter Shane Black at the Burbank International Film Festival. (Photos courtesy Todd Heilesen)

Goodyear resident’s movie script among finalists at film festival

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

“Paperboy” delivered.

On Sept. 13 , Goodyear writer Todd Heilesen’s screenplay was introduced as one of 10 finalists by screenwriter Shane Black (“Iron Man 3” and many other blockbusters) at the Burbank International Film Festival.

“Although my script was not the winner, it was exciting to see the script recognized by the festival,” Heilesen said. “It would be great to see it get produced some day, especially if it can be produced in Litchfield Park, as that’s where the screenplay is set. It’s a coming-of-age story for the whole family to enjoy, and hopefully keeps everyone laughing along the way.”

In “Paperboy,” Jack Winters works long hours to land the promotion of a lifetime, but at the expense of spending time with his 14-year-old son, Ben. Addicted to video games, Ben faces expulsion from high school due to bad behavior and poor grades. But

that could change if Jack has his way.

Jack encourages Ben to drop the game controller and become a paperboy, just as he had done some 40 years prior.

That’s where the fun starts, as Jack flashes back to his days flinging papers.

Heilesen knows the territory he writes about.

“I’ve resided in Goodyear since 2002 with my wife and four daughters— two of them have already graduated from Millennium High School and are Litchfield Elementary alums,” he said.

An East Coast native and real estate professional, he learned the old saying “writing is rewriting.”

“I started writing this screenplay several years ago during the real estate crash, and it has been through many

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professional reads and many drafts since,” he said.

“My mom inspired the whole paperboy story when I was back home in Connecticut visiting for Christmas in 1991. She complained about the paperboy not bringing the paper up to the front porch—we did have a long driveway in his defense—and I created a short home movie called ‘Paperboy’ with my siblings that we’ve laughed about for years.”

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

than $81 million.

The facility also supports more than 600 producers, paying them more than $790 million per year for their livestock.

Hometown Strong is a national $50 million initiative by JBS. Visit hometownstrong. jbssa.com to learn more.

• Coffee—where would we be without it?

And now: It will come to you.

Ruben Trujillo, founder of Cafe Emporos, credits the Business Builders / Innovation Hub in Goodyear with helping him power through the pandemic. “I owe it to the programs and support that the city of Goodyear has provided to push forward through these very difficult times,” he said.

Trujillo started his coffee business in Goodyear after living in South Korea for five years as an English teacher.

“My business has currently made a ‘COVID pivot.’

Whereas before I was selling at farmers markets in the West

Public Notice INVITATION TO BID Bids Due: November 18, 2020 – 10:00AM Project: Sunrise Lane Ph 7A CFD Civil Improvements Verrado ARC, LLC seeks qualified General Contractors, with a minimum A- General Engineering license, to submit sealed bids for the Sunrise Lane Ph 7A CFD Civil Improvements which consists of, but is not limited to concrete, dry utilities, street lights (all conduit) and paving including the Tuthill Channel Crossing, 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, specifications, bid documents and detailed information for this project will be available on October 9, 2020. All interested parties should contact Deana Burris at dburris@dmbinc.com to make arrangements to receive the bid

Valley, I am now starting the first coffee delivery service in Goodyear,” he said.

His pitch: “Fresh coffee, 24 hours off the roast, delivered straight at your doorsteps weekly. This includes free, contactless delivery with a subscription.”

He also runs a coffee bar during the morning at Purple Elephant Cakes in Litchfield Park.

Visit cafeemporos.com for more information.

• Avondale is booming.

Wespac Construction completed construction of a Class-A industrial regional distribution center called Avondale 101 Logistics.

Located at the southwest corner of 101st Avenue and Roosevelt Street, the two buildings total a massive 652,146 square feet.

No tenants yet, but these transportation-friendly buildings right off the Interstate 10/Loop 101 stack should fill fast.

Cafe Emporos did a “COVID pivot” to start delivering coffee. (Photo courtesy Cafe

documents electronically. Please reference the project name listed above in the email subject. The MANDATORY pre-bid meeting will be held on October 13, 2020 at 10:00AM Arizona Time. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic 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 10:00AM Arizona Time on November 18, 2020 at the DMB Verrado Offices – 4236 N. Verrado Way Suite A200, Buckeye, AZ 85396. Bids submitted after 10:00AM will not be accepted.

Bids will be opened privately but read aloud at 10:05AM via Zoom call. A meeting invitation will be sent to all interested parties. Unless all bids are rejected, the Contract 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 ac-companied by a

surety bond for ten percent (10%) of the bid amount, listing Verrado ARC, LLC as the Obligee, as a guarantee that the Contractor will enter into a contract to perform the Work, or as liquidated damages in the event the Contract-or refuses or fails to enter into the Contract with Verrado ARC, LLC upon award. Cashiers checks will not be accepted. 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

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Emporos)

insurance and shall hold and save harmless Verrado ARC, LLC, DMB White Tank, LLC, the City of Buckeye and the Verrado District 1 Community Facilities District from any 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.

Verrado ARC, LLC reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to withhold the award for any reason Verrado ARC, LLC determines necessary and appropriate. Award of the successful bid shall be subject to approval by Verrado ARC, 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 Sunrise Lane Ph7A CFD Civil Improvements.

No engineer’s estimate will be distributed.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

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