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Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Western Slope prepares for a dry summer
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – You may have noticed the low snow on the Mesa this year and that comes high danger for fire season. What does that mean for our rivers in the Grand Valley? Janie VanWinkle, ERC fellow for the AGRO West initiative at the Business Incubator, states, 'It's very worrisome. We're focused on the best care of the land and the livestock in our community.' The Western Slope, along with the state of Colorado, is facing a low snow season, but that can come at a cost, especially with June around the corner. But some ranchers like the VanWinkle Ranch have a plan to work with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, which is part of the USDA and funding that comes through the Farm Bill. 'Currently off the Grand Mesa, my understanding is that we are at 65% of normal, and that's very concerning,' Vanwinkle said. And taking a look at the irrigation around the valley, WesternSlopeNow spoke with Tina Bergonzini, who is the general manager for Grand Valley Water Users Association about how this year's water supply from the Colorado River may be affecting the Grand Valley. Bergonzini states, 'As far as our agricultural providers. They're used to this. They know that in really hot years like this, we'll have to go in restriction that the demand will be higher than the supply.' Bergonzini says this is not a familiar foe to encounter. 'I don't ever like to look at any here, like starting off with a catastrophic type outlook, because the thing that I think is really important for everyone to remember is that Colorado has always lived within the means of the river, like what it provides, we know is going to be different every year. And yes, we're getting hotter, and yes, our winter was not great, but this is not new for us,' Bergonzini explains. But Bergonzini says the Grand Valley Watering Users Association has prepared for a dry season like this, where they have check stations to examine water and back it up depending on the demand. 'That was done not only to help be able to continue to provide reliable irrigation to our irrigators, but it also helps us keep more water in the river so that the native fish have what they need as well,' Bergonzini said. Mike Jones, management specialist for the UCR, tells WesternSlopeNow even though it may be a dry season, there will be enough resources to combat the fires ranging from the ground to the air. 'So we'll have some helicopters and airplanes at the end of May, beginning of June. so that'll help with our forces, making sure that we're ready for whatever, and just doing training now, making sure that we're ready for what the season brings us,' Jones explains. Jones also says there are some safety tips to be aware of when it comes to those fire dangers. 'We ask that the public, as they're out recreating on public land, that they they just do a little bit of pre-planning, because we know it's dry out there, and we want to make sure that they've, they've done their maintenance on their vehicles, rather that's on their their trucks and their trailers and their OHVs, making sure that they got their chains properly fastened and their tires are properly inflated, that their engines have been maintained, you know, not driving in dry grasses,' Jones said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Associated Press
19-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Spokbee Secures $750K in Funding, Paving the Way for Expansion into Software Configuration Powerhouse
'Our recent funding and revenue milestones are not just numbers—they are a clear indicator that Spokbee is on the right path' — Mac Cameron, CEO of Spokbee AVON, OH, UNITED STATES, February 19, 2025 / / -- Spokbee, a leader in advanced manufacturing technology and software solutions, is excited to announce significant funding and revenue milestones that underscore its rapid growth and industry leadership. The company has recently raised $200,000 from Integral Private and secured an additional $150,000 in grants and matching funds from the Ohio Jumpstart Program and the Youngstown Business Incubator. With these investments, Spokbee's total funding now stands at $750,000. In addition to its funding success, Spokbee has reached a major revenue milestone, achieving over $200,000 in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Key customers driving this success include CAMTECH, Earnest Machine, PL Custom, Custom Metal Products, and Mezco Metal Fabrication. This strong financial performance is a testament to the value Spokbee delivers to manufacturers seeking to streamline their sales, engineering, and production processes through innovative configuration technology. 'Our recent funding and revenue milestones are not just numbers—they are a clear indicator that Spokbee is on the right path,' said Mac Cameron, CEO of Spokbee. 'We are thrilled to see our innovative CPD (Configure, Price, Deliver) platform resonating with the manufacturing community and driving measurable success for our customers. It is now more important than ever to invest in US manufacturing automation, and with our new Spokbee 2.0 platform, we can bring efficiency at a massive scale.' Co-founders Mac and Karina Cameron, a dynamic husband-and-wife team, lead Spokbee with a blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. With backgrounds in CAD education and software architecture, they have made it their mission to simplify and accelerate the manufacturing process, ensuring that the path from design to delivery is as efficient and accurate as possible. Their leadership is central to Spokbee's vision of transforming into a software configuration powerhouse and driving industry innovation. Looking ahead, Spokbee is well-positioned for significant expansion as it continues to enhance its platform and broaden its market reach. The company is strategically targeting executives and investors interested in manufacturing technology and SaaS solutions, aiming to serve industries at the intersection of advanced manufacturing processes and innovative software. Spokbee's ongoing success is driven by its commitment to empowering manufacturers with cutting-edge technology, real-time data analytics, and an intuitive product configurator that integrates sales, engineering designs, and manufacturing operations seamlessly. Spokbee is revolutionizing the manufacturing landscape with its innovative CPD (Configure, Price, Deliver) platform that seamlessly integrates sales, engineering, and manufacturing. Leveraging advanced cloud CAD technology, real-time 3D visualization, instant quoting, and robust data analytics—empowering manufacturers to offer personalized, high-quality products with unmatched precision and speed. Founded by a visionary CAD educator from MIT and a talented software architect, Spokbee is a catalyst for innovation, setting new standards in efficiency and excellence as it transforms the way products are designed, priced, and delivered. Mac Cameron +1 612-834-3590 Legal Disclaimer: