Avatar Offroad, a manufacturer of custom-fit, durable and weather-resistant accessories for vans will relocate its headquarters to Grand Junction.

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership announced the move Oct. 1 in a news release and said Avatar Offroad is making the move with help from Colorado’s Rural Jump-Start program.

Specializing in premium, heavy-duty adventure-vehicle gear, Avatar Offroad manufactures specialized storage systems, roof racks, mounting brackets, bumpers, ladders and rock sliders. The company crafts custom equipment tailored for major camper van and truck platforms, including Ford, Mercedes, Nissan and Promaster models. The company designs, tests, manufactures and installs all products in-house.

Avatar Offroad was founded by a family with more than 30 years of experience in the outdoor sports and metalworking industries. The company relocated its headquarters and operations from Sandy, Utah, to Grand Junction for the region’s outdoor recreation ecosystem and supportive business climate.

“As a family-owned business driven by a passion for the outdoors, moving our headquarters to Grand Junction was a natural fit,” Avatar Offroad owner Wes Swearingen said. “Western Colorado offers unbeatable testing grounds for our products and a community that truly understands the outdoor lifestyle.”

Swearingen said support from GJEP, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Colorado Mesa University and the Rural Jump-Start Program “allows us to accelerate our manufacturing capabilities and build deep roots in Mesa County.”

The company will receive $15,000 in grant funding to support the launch of its operations, as well as four years of tax benefits through the Rural Jump-Start program, which encourages economic development and job creation in economically distressed, rural counties of Colorado. Eligible employees will also receive a state personal-income-tax credit while the company is in the program.

“Avatar Offroad represents a powerful addition to Mesa County’s outdoor industry and manufacturing sectors. Their decision to establish headquarters in Grand Junction highlights the strength of our regional infrastructure, skilled workforce and collaborative business environment,” GJEP Executive Director Curtis Englehart said.

Sponsoring entities like CMU help identify business candidates in their communities and work with each business to help ensure its success in the program and in the community. As part of the program, Avatar Offroad will collaborate with CMU to provide internships and apprenticeship opportunities.

“Avatar Offroad offers a unique opportunity to support CMU students pursuing careers in the skilled trades within the outdoor recreation industry,” said Tom Benton, Director of the Maverick Innovation Center at Colorado Mesa University.