Left Hand Laurel: John, Shane, Corey Heil of Excel Electric 
BY LIZ EMMETT-MATTOX
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Since the mural project began this summer, Niwot residents and commuters along the Diagonal Highway have had reason to take note of a previously nondescript building next to the railroad tracks. And since its dedication, most people in town probably realize that the space for the mural was donated by the owners of the building, Excel Electric.

But what people may not know is that the mural project is only the latest of many contributions that the Heil family has made to the Niwot community over the years.

Without the efforts of John, Corey and Shane Heil at Excel Electric, Niwot would be a darker place. Not metaphorically, but literally.
Over the years, the Heil family has contributed in significant ways to the electrical infrastructure of Niwot.

The street lights on Second Avenue were installed and are maintained with the help of Excel. The lights on the caboose and the amplifiers at the summer concert series might not be there if not for their willingness to work with Xcel Energy (the power company) to install a transformer in the area that provides power to the park. And Excel recently installed the lighting that now illuminates the mural that graces the side of the building.

Excel was established in Niwot nearly 25 years ago,  John started Excel Electric as a full-service electrical contracting firm and chose Niwot for its convenient location to both Boulder and Longmont.

Corey Heil remembers when the side streets of Niwot were dirt and even Second Avenue wasn’t fully paved. He said they enjoyed very steady growth for most of the company’s life. Starting with a staff of seven or eight, the company  at one time employed close to 50 people.

Like many other businesses, Excel Electric has been affected by the economy and currently has 24 employees, but Corey said he expects that to rise as the economy picks up again. With so much commercial real estate currently vacant, He said that the residential side of the business is the strongest right now.

Because of new regulations and utility rate structures, he expects to see more and more demand for energy efficient upgrades and options to control power usage in both residential and commercial buildings.

Euvaldo Valdez, owner of Niwot Liquor and long-time member of the NBA, was effusive in his praise for the Heil family. “John Heil was instrumental in helping establish a very cooperative relationship between their company and the Niwot community and Corey has continued in that tradition.”

The streetlights along Second Avenue are just one example of the contribution Excel Electric has made, being instrumental in their installation and maintenance. Valdez said, “We would like the community to understand that the responsibility for maintaining the streetlights along Second Avenue, and the lighting at Whistlestop Park falls on the NBA and we have depended on Excel Electric to help us with that. They help us make sure the lights are always functioning, and even keep a stock of spare parts for these lights in their shop.”
When Niwot first acquired the caboose that was the starting point of what became Whistle Stop Park, the Heils got involved.

Tim Wise said, “We realized that we needed to have lights and power in that area. The guys over at Excel Electric worked with Xcel Energy (the power company) when we needed to get a transformer installed over there.

And then when we needed to get power to the bandstand, they helped us out with that too. Right now we’re working on a project between the NBA, the NCAA and the Niwot Historical Society to get an old railroad crossing sign up and running in the park. They’ve helped us repair it so that it will work, assuming we get permission from the county.”
Denise Chamberlain, the artist who designed and painted the mural that now graces the side of the Excel building is also an enthusiastic fan.
“From the start, Corey and his family were all so supportive of the project, helping with the planning and design work. And when I showed up on the first day to paint, on one of those super-hot days in July, the first thing Corey did was to make sure I had water and all the supplies I needed.”

Although it wasn’t part of the original plan, once the mural was finished, Chamberlain said everyone agreed that it would be great if the mural was visible at night. At their own expense, the Heils installed new lights along the top of the building to illuminate the mural, and plans are in the works to upgrade the lighting so that it lights the mural more uniformly.
Chamberlain said, “I could not have asked for better partners in working on a community project.”

Corey is modest about his family’s contributions to the community. He said, “I’m sure we could probably have done more... but Niwot is a good town with a good feel. The people here are really decent to deal with and hopefully we can continue to do whatever we can.”
When Wise talks about the Heil family and Excel Electric, he sounds like a very satisfied customer, “They are always there whenever you’re in an electrical pickle.”