First National Bank of Durango recently hired two employees.
Amoretta Pringle is a teller at the main office. She is originally from Arizona but moved to Durango 10 years ago.
Pringle is a senior at Fort Lewis College, where she is majoring in accounting.
Elliott Fitz is a universal banker at the main office. He recently moved to Durango from Colorado Springs. Fitz currently studies mechanical engineering at Fort Lewis College.
The Young Professionals of Durango will hold its second annual Light up LePlatt’s networking event and celebration from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 at LePlatt’s Pond, 311 County Road 501 in Bayfield.
Members of local chambers of commerce, including the chambers in Durango, Bayfield, Vallecito, Pagosa Springs, Cortez, Aztec and Farmington are invited to attend. Non-members are also welcome. Goals of the event include raising awareness about local chambers, encouraging involvement though membership, bringing communities together and building relationships.
The dress code for the event is business casual. Attendees are asked to RSVP and purchase tickets for $20 at www.durangobusiness.org/young-professionals-of-durango.html.
Financial assistance is available for Colorado companies with an organic certification.
In order to qualify for reimbursement, producers and handlers must receive or have received certification or continuation of certification by a U.S. Department of Agriculture-accredited certifying agent between Oct. and Sept. 30.
Cost-share assistance payments are limited to 75 percent of an individual producer’s or handler’s certification costs, up to a maximum of $750 per category of certification. These funds will be distributed until exhausted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The deadline for submitting an application is Nov. 15. Applications should be submitted after the certification process is complete and all fees have been paid. Proof of certification and certification fees must be submitted with each application.
For application forms, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/dpi or call Barbara Rosenbach at (303) 869-9051.
A course entitled Starting Your Business will run from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the Durango Public Library in Program Room 2.
The course is designed to guide attendees through the major steps to starting a successful business. Presenters will include a small business specialist, a marketing expert, a small business banker, an attorney and an accountant.
Topics will include business planning, legal structure, taxes, marketing and market research, and finance options.
The cost of the workshop is $25 ($20 for Chamber of Commerce members). Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch. Register online at https://clients.coloradosbdc.org. For more information, call 247-7009.
Louisa’s Electronics is now open at the corner of 22nd Street and Main Avenue.
Louisa’s offers television and audio systems, digital cameras, security and home automation and technology service and installations.
Louisa’s Movie House will remain at its permanent location in Town Plaza by south City Market.
Durango CPA firm adds to ownershipDurango-based certified public accounting firm FredrickZink & Associates has expanded the firm’s ownership team.
Joining owners Chuck Fredrick and Sidny Zink are John Lopez and Michelle Sainio.
Lopez joined the firm in 2013 and will work on the tax side of the business while Sainio, who has been with the firm for 10 years, specializes in audits and other financial statement reporting services.
Durango Herald
