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FOCUS PSB UTV-Sport 26 • July 13, 2014 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Rigid Industries LED Lighting wins award Rigid Industries LED Lighting has won the Large Business of the Year Award from the Gilbert, Ariz., Chamber of Commerce. Other nominees in this category were Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Southwest Airlines. "It is an honor to be nominated alongside the many great leaders of the community. I'm humbled by the experience and thank the many brilliant people that have made Rigid Industries what it has become today," said Jason Christiansen, CEO of Rigid Industries. Rigid Industries is a full-service manufac- turing facility for industry-leading forward projection LED lighting products. It designs, engineers and assembles all products in Gil- bert, Ariz. Rigid Industries has seen more than 1,900 percent growth and increased staff from nine to 210 employees since January 2010. YAMAHA EXPANDS GRANT PROGRAM TO REACH BROADER COMMUNITY Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., announced an expanded platform for its GRANT (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation's Trails) program, along with a new name: Outdoor Access Initiative. Designed to extend support to off-highway vehicle (OHV) users in a wider variety of outdoor activities, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative remains the industry leader in supporting safe, responsible use and open sustainable access to trails and riding areas. "Yamaha is the leader in supporting our industry and customers on OHV issues as well as conservation, land access and safe, responsible use of ATV and SxS vehicles — whether in recreation, hunting or agricultural settings," said Mike Martinez, Yamaha's ATV/SxS group vice president. "The GRANT program always has welcomed applications from diverse groups. With this new name, we make it clear that the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative actively encourages the submission of projects that support safe, responsible use of OHVs as well as sustainable access to land for all outdoor enthusiasts." Along with a new name, the GRANT program has a new logo and a new website (www.yamahaoutdooraccess.com) show- casing its inclusive scope. Importantly, the requirements for a complete and successful application remain the same. "The Outdoor Access Initiative recognizes its roots are in addressing the needs of the OHV community specifically," said Steve Nessl, Yamaha's ATV/SxS marketing manager. "Yamaha has also seen tremendous results from GRANT-funded projects submitted by agricultural institutions as well as hunting and conservation-based groups that benefit not only the specific organization, but all outdoorsmen and women, including OHV enthusiasts. OHVs make the outdoors more accessible to everyone, and the Outdoor Access Initiative can and should help address any challenges to that access." The applications for GRANTs in the first quarter 2014 funding cycle represented the broadened appeal of the Yamaha Outdoors Access Initiative with awards being given to an array of OHV interests. More than $95,000 in funding and equipment were awarded to the following organizations: Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Chena River State Recreation Area Cayuna Iron Range Riders – Minn. Directorate of Morale, Welfare, Family and Recreation: 1st Infantry Division – Fort Riley, Kansas National FFA, Outdoor Recreation Pro- ficiency Award North County ATV, N.H. Responsible Recreation Foundation, Colo. Texas 4H Foundation, OHV Safety Edu- cation Program Tread Lightly! Respected Access is Open Access Campaign DIGEST Rigid Industries LED Lighting, led by CEO Jason Christiansen (center) was honored by the Gilbert, Ariz., business community. See Digest, Page 31