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From history major to power-sports business owner: Joe Kelley finalizes purchase of Power World

Longtime Power World General Manager Joe Kelley stands behind the counter inside his Granby based business. Kelley finalized his purchase of Power World late last year.
Lance Maggart / lmaggart@skyhinews.com

GRANBY — When Power World first opened its doors in 2006, Joe Kelley was a part-time employee of the business and a single father struggling to make ends meet.

Now, he owns it.

Kelley recently finalized his purchase of Power World, the popular motorsports business located in Granby just south of the Fraser River. Kelley, who has been part of the team at Power World since the business opened more than a decade ago, closed on his purchase of Power World last fall.



“This has been on my radar from the get go,” Kelley said of his long-nurtured plans to purchase Power World. “But honestly I was so invested in education that I initially thought of it as an opportunity to turn around a business and possibly get out when the owner sold. But for the long run it would be nice to have something that lasted for a generation and was able to continue helping my kid.”

Kelley experienced a surprising journey to become the owner of a snowmobile, ATV and motorcycle dealership.



Originally an academic, Kelley received graduate degrees in history, with a special emphasis on Native American history. He initially moved to Grand County in the early 2000s after taking a position as director of the Grand County Historical Association.

It was not long, though, before he transitioned to a career as a teacher.

He taught history in Grand County from 2003 to 2010 before leaving to take on a more involved role at Power World. It was a transition he believed to be more inline with his personality.

“This is probably more of what I was cut out for than anything else,” Kelley said. “It is really fun. I have never had anything that was more intellectually challenging. It continues to be, and always will be, a challenge, but I enjoy that part of it.”

Kelley came to the motorsports world initially through his love of motorcycles, especially historic and classic bikes. As a child, Kelley managed a parts department for motorcycle business before leaving for college.  

When Power World opened in 2006, Kelley was brought on to help manage its parts department. He transitioned to the service department before being named general manager. After managing the business for several years, Kelley became a part owner, which in turn led to his full ownership of the dealership.

Power World in Granby sells a wide range of snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides and even bicycles. They offer all the necessary parts and equipment you will need to get out riding and the maintenance and service technicians that will keep your machinery running smoothly.

“What we really offer is fun,” Kelley said. “Our slogan is, fun is out there, chase it down.”


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