A new opportunity is available to help rural business owners transition ownership while protecting their legacy, supporting employees, and keeping wealth in local communities.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — A new opportunity is available to help rural business owners transition ownership while protecting their legacy, supporting employees, and keeping wealth in local communities. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is making it easier for businesses to explore employee ownership, thanks to a program that removes financial barriers and offers valuable tax credits and discounts.

With 80% of businesses listed for sale never finding a buyer, many owners face difficult choices that often result in closures, displacing loyal employees and pulling money out of the community. However, this program provides a better solution—helping business owners transition to employee ownership and securing the future of their businesses.

Employee ownership offers a proven pathway for preserving small businesses, empowering employees, and strengthening local economies. Unlike traditional sales, transitioning ownership to employees ensures that businesses remain rooted in their communities, maintaining jobs and keeping profits local.

With Baby Boomers retiring at record rates, rural businesses face increased risk of closure because of a lack of potential buyers in these smaller markets. “Too many business owners reach retirement without a solid succession plan,” said Marion Champoux-Pellegrin, Rural Employee Ownership Director for Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center. “This program provides a clear, affordable path for owners to explore employee ownership and safeguard what they’ve built.”

Who Qualifies?

The program is available to a limited number of businesses starting the process in 2025. To qualify, businesses must meet the following requirements:

At least three interested employeesSale of at least 20% of the businessLocated in rural Colorado

Business owners ready to protect their legacy and empower their employees should act now. With limited spots available for 2025, interested owners are encouraged to contact Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center (RMEOC) today to begin the process.

Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center (RMEOC), – RMEOC is a Colorado-based nonprofit leading the effort to help Colorado businesses explore and convert to employee ownership models. RMEOC’s mission is to create a more inclusive and fair economy by equipping business owners with the tools and resources they need to transition successfully. Through this program, RMEOC provides technical assistance, education, and ongoing support, ensuring that business owners have the guidance they need throughout the transition process.

Media Contact

Marion Champoux-Pellegrin, Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center, 1 303-351-2003, marion@rmeoc.org, https://www.rmeoc.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/sell-with-confidence-keep-your-business-in-trusted-hands-302419363.html

SOURCE Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center

ECOVACS ROBOTICS robotic vacuum cleaners DEEBOT now support Matter for seamless smart home control.

SUZHOU, China, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ECOVACS ROBOTICS, a global leader in service robotics, has taken a major step forward in smart home integration by bringing its robotic vacuum cleaners DEEBOT into the Matter ecosystem. As China’s decade-long market leader in robotic vacuum cleaners, ECOVACS is making cross-platform connectivity, control, and automation smoother than ever.

Matter, the universal smart home standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), eliminates compatibility barriers by allowing devices from different brands to work together seamlessly. With enhanced interoperability, robust security, and simplified setup, Matter ensures a smarter, more reliable smart home experience—whether controlled locally or via the cloud.

ECOVACS’ global lineup – including DEEBOT X2, X2 Combo, T50, T50 Max, and X8 – will gain Matter 1.4 support, with functionality updates rolling out across these models in phases. This strategic enhancement ensures seamless integration with the growing Matter ecosystem, further simplifying connected home experiences.

Building on ECOVACS’ technological advancement, the brand made waves at CES 2025 with the global debut of its groundbreaking DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI. This industry-redefining robotic cleaner introduces the revolutionary OZMO ROLLER Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology—ECOVACS’ first ultra-high pressure, high-speed mopping system with real-time self-cleaning capabilities.

The X8 PRO OMNI’s exceptional innovation earned remarkable industry acclaim, receiving top honors at the world’s prestigious tech events: the ‘Best in Show,’ ‘Best of CES,’ and ‘Editor’s Choice’ awards at CES 2025, along with both the ‘Best of IFA’ distinction and ‘Indoor Cleaning Solutions Gold Award’ at 2024 IFA.” The X8 Family has achieved cumulative sales of 230,000 units in the Chinese market by February 2025.

With 27 years of innovation in service robotics, ECOVACS has empowered over 28 million households across more than 170 markets—driven by its mission of “Robotics for All.” Now supporting Matter, ECOVACS enables effortless cross-platform integration, letting users sync their robots with any Matter-compatible smart home setup, ushering in a new era of intelligent home cleaning.

SOURCE ECOVACS

The planet-positive material is recognized for reducing emissions

MIAMI, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — UBQ Materials, with U.S. headquarters in Miami, received the Silver 2025 Edison Best New Product Award in the Carbon Reduction Through Advanced Materials category for UBQ ClimaPos™ on April 3.

UBQ ClimaPos™, a bio-based thermoplastic composite added to conventional plastics in durable and semi-durable applications, powers progress toward carbon-neutral and climate-positive targets.

Materials that matter
Incorporating just 10% UBQ ClimaPos™ into products can reduce the carbon footprint of goods and supply chains.

For every ton of UBQ™ produced in UBQ Materials’ Netherlands facility:

1.5 tons of landfill waste is diverted1.0 ton of plastic is replaced1.02 tons of net carbon is removed—equivalent to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a gas-powered car driving 2,596 miles

UBQ™ reduces reliance on petroleum-based plastics, lowers GHG emissions generated by waste in landfills, and supports a circular economy.

“Winning the 2025 Edison Award affirms the value of our product and its potential to significantly impact the world,” said Albert Douer, Chairman and CEO of UBQ Materials. “This recognition reinforces that UBQ™ is a material that matters—making sustainability achievable for consumers and helping retailers meet their environmental goals. UBQ Materials leads the way in developing sustainable materials to benefit the planet and future generations.”

Frank Bonafilia, executive director of the Edison Awards, added “UBQ ClimaPos™ exemplifies the power of innovation. With its unique technology, UBQ Materials is well on their way to converting waste from a global challenge into a scalable, sustainable solution.”

Giving waste a new life
UBQ Materials’ pioneering solution emerges as a powerful response to our planet’s growing waste problem.

UBQ ClimaPos™ is created by an energy-efficient, patented technology that converts mixed household waste—including organic and hard-to-recycle materials—into a material suitable for a range of everyday products that are good for people, planet, and profit.

About UBQ Materials
UBQ Materials is a global manufacturing company that has developed a pioneering solution to the world’s growing waste challenge. Our patented UBQ™ technology transforms mixed household waste into a bio-based thermoplastic composite, UBQ™. This advanced solution reduces GHGs, lessens reliance on conventional plastics, and minimizes natural resource extraction. UBQ Materials is committed to providing cost-competitive, sustainable solutions that contribute to a circular economy. Learn more at www.ubqmaterials.com.

Media Contact
Natasha Ofman
Browning Environmental Communications for UBQ Materials
+1 (202) 706-9069
natasha@browningenvironmental.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ubq-climapos-wins-silver-2025-edison-award-302421100.html

SOURCE UBQ Materials