Winners of Colorado Companies to Watch Award
Grand Junction’s SG Aerospace & Gas and JFS LLC Winners of Colorado Companies to Watch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Selena Sanchez, Director of Marketing & Communications | Grand Junction Economic Partnership | selena@gjep.org | 970-245-4332 ext. 6
Grand Junction, Colorado (June 26, 2024)
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Two Grand Junction-based companies, SG Aerospace & Gas and JFS LLC, have
been named Colorado Companies to Watch Award winners. Since 2009, Colorado Companies to Watch has honored the critical, yet often overlooked, second-stage companies from throughout the state for their undeniable impact on our communities through job creation, investment, and pioneering innovation within their respective industries.
Since 2008, SG Aerospace & Gas has been pushing the boundaries of quality and innovation through the precision manufacturing of application-specific products that support the Aerospace, Oil & Gas, and Industrial markets. While operating in Grand Junction, SG Aerospace has continued to grow and expand its capabilities and recently received recognition from NASA for its contributions to the Artemis project. SG Aerospace was contracted by Lockheed Martin in 2017 and is a premier manufacturer for NASA’s Orion Space program. SG Aerospace has been instrumental in furthering the aerospace and aviation industry in Mesa County and promoting the region through its partnerships with industry organizations, including the Colorado Space Business Roundtable.
“We are fortunate to live in a community that aspires to diverse economics and that the space program is part of that trend. We’ve enjoyed growing our business on the western slope and are excited the rest of the state is recognizing all we have to offer here,” said Mike Sneddon, CEO of SG Aerospace & Gas. The company also works closely with Colorado Mesa University to hire local talent and is actively involved with Mesa County’s local economic development partners, including the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.
“SG Aerospace & Gas has been a tremendous partner and community champion. Earlier this year, our community selected SG Aerospace as our 2024 Spirit of Economic Development award winner; having them now recognized as a Colorado Company to Watch speaks volumes about their accomplishments within the industry,” said Curtis Englehart, Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. Also from Grand Junction, JFS LLC was recognized as a Colorado Company to Watch. JFS LLC provides healthcare and second-stage business consulting, accounting services, and assistance in sourcing alternative funding. Kelly Johnston opened JFS in 2016 and serves healthcare facilities, nonprofit organizations, and second-stage businesses throughout the U.S.
Johnston has steadily grown JFS over the past five years with several local employees, employees throughout the U.S., and team members overseas.
“This honor reflects the JFS team’s dedication to meeting our clients’ needs and delivering essential financial support and education, enabling the success of other businesses and organizations within our community,” said Kelly Johnston, President & CEO of JFS LLC. Johnston and her team also speak at events in partnership with Colorado Mesa University and the Small Business Development Center to improve financial literacy and support business growth.
“Kelly Johnston and her team at JFS are well known and well respected within our community for their active role in supporting local businesses. We are thrilled to see their accomplishments being celebrated and garnering state-wide recognition as a 2024 winner of Colorado Companies to Watch. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow in the Grand Junction area,” said Englehart.
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership is proud to partner with Colorado Companies to Watch in nominating local businesses making immense strides in our community. For more information about Colorado Companies to Watch and this year’s finalists, please visit http://www.coloradocompaniestowatch.org.
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About the Grand Junction Economic Partnership
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) works to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the Grand Junction area by supporting high-impact capital investment and job creation. GJEP is a single stop for businesses looking to relocate or expand in the cities of Grand Junction and Fruita, the Town of Palisade, and surrounding communities in Mesa County. Operating as a 501(c)3, GJEP offers free services that help businesses navigate incentives and opportunity zones and connect with realtors and developers, the workforce, local leadership, and more. Visit www.gjep.org for more information.
About Colorado Companies to Watch
Colorado’s second-stage companies represent high-performing and innovative companies, crossing every industry sector and region in the state, which provide thousands of high-quality jobs and contribute billions of dollars back to our local economies. Colorado Companies to Watch (CCTW) certifies and spotlights their important contributions. To date, we have celebrated close to 700 companies, resulting in a $5.8 billion economic impact on Colorado’s economy. In conjunction with the Edward Lowe Foundation, the Colorado Office of Economic
Grand Junction Economic Partnership
122 N 6th Street, Grand Junction CO | 970-245-4332 | www.gjep.org
Development and International Trade (OEDIT) initiated the program in 2009 along with valuable sponsors, key drivers, community and supporting partners, and volunteers from throughout Colorado. Today, CCTW encourages the collaboration and advancement of our alumni network and aligns strategic partnerships and alliances by leveraging valuable resources to support and nurture our alumni’s growth and businesses.
Visit www.ColoradoCompaniestoWatch.org, facebook.com/ColoradoCompaniestoWatch, and
Twitter @ColoradoCTW