Welcome to the Denver Gazette’s Metro Moves. You’ll get the latest metro Denver business openings, closings, hiring and promotion briefs here. To submit your company’s news, drop an email to dennis.huspeni@gazette.com. #MetroMoves on Twitter! @DenManH 

Openings:

GadellNet Consulting Services, headquartered in St. Louis, will expand to Colorado and is looking to hire up to 56 employees for its Denver operation.

The privately held firm provides IT consulting to small-and-medium businesses. It recently bought Denver internet service provider CNT Group and views Denver’s “small-business dominated market” a target-rich environment.

“We are incredibly excited to grow in Denver. With the acquisition of CNT Group, we have added 12 exceptional employees into the GadellNet family,” said CEO Nick Smarrelli in a statement. “Our intention is to hire at least four additional roles in the next 30-60 days to add resources to that team.”

The 150-employee company also has a location in Carmel, IN. It’s website is gadellnet.com

The jobs created average $77,393 per year, and include roles in senior management, cybersecurity, sales and help desk support engineers. The company was also looking at locations in Arizona, Indiana and Missouri. It received $484,628 in performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits to create up to 52 jobs in the next eight years, according to the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. 

“Colorado not only gains up to 56 good news jobs, but many other small businesses rely on specialized resources like Gadellnet to enable their growth too,” said Gov. Jared Polis in a statement. “As new business formations continue to pace Colorado’s economic momentum, Gadellnet’s addition of dozens of jobs in Colorado is a big boost to help our small businesses thrive.”

The company started a month-long local food drive for the Bienvenidos Food Bank in Denver.

“Our intention is to not only impact the small business clients we serve, but also serve and improve the community,” said Smarrelli.

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The owners of the 13th Floor Haunted House have found an off-season use for the facilities: A new sport called “Blitz Bowl” which combines bowling, football and “a dash of corn hole.”

Players compete on eight bowling lanes in an 8,000-square-foot facility, 3400 E. 52nd Ave., next door to the 13th Floor facilities.

“The goal of Blitz Bowl is to throw a football at your opponent’s pins and be the first to knock them all down,” according to a news release from the Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group.

Each lane can handle a groups up to 10 players. A food truck will be nearby with snacks, cocktails including craft beer and soft drinks.

“Blitz Bowl is the perfect (and safe!) outdoor activity to celebrate the return of gatherings,” the release states.

It will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m.-11 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.

Children must be at least 12-years old, and accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. The website is footballbowling.com.

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A new child-care facility opened in Littleton as Kiddie Academy opened its doors at a new 10,571-square-foot facility, 6650 W. Ken Caryl Ave. It will employ 35 people and serve up to 172 students. 

“Here at Kiddie Academy, our goal is to embrace every experience as a teachable moment and an invaluable opportunity for young children to learn, providing more value than just daycare services,” said Director Teri Derington in a statement. “My team is dedicated to delivering the highest quality educational child care possible to positively shape the lives of the children and families of the Columbine (area) community.”

Students will range in age from six weeks to 6-years-old. A large outdoor play area includes a garden and soccer field, off West Ken Caryl Avenue and Pierce Street.

Founded in 1981, Kiddie Academy has 270 locations nationwide.

For more information: reach Derington at (720) 826-8268 or columbine@kiddieacademy.net.