Someone asked me the other day if I’m still in the “double-dip” (recession) camp. That led to an embarrassing confession that while I once believed higher interest rates would choke off the nascent recovery, the current recovery has lasted long enough and remained strong enough that I think those of us who were double-dippers ought […]
Grand Junction office rentals remain steady despite a downward national trend. Vacancy rates for office space in the Grand Junction area range from 5 percent to 8 percent, according to the results of a survey conducted by the City of Grand Junction. Meanwhile, vacancy rates range from 10 percent to 15 percent in some major metropolitan […]
As the weather warms, the jobless rate drops in Mesa County. “It’s something that traditionally happens during this time of year,” said Gilbert Lujan, supervisor of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. Seasonal hiring and increased activity in such industry sectors as construction helped pull down the unadjusted unemployment rate in the county […]
Most of us have heard how important it is for young people to gain a measure of financial literacy as they approach their adult lives. Many online and classroom resources are dedicated to making this type of education available. But what about financial literacy for prospective small business owners? What should entrepreneurs be aware of […]
A monthly measure of economic conditions for small businesses in Colorado continues to rise, adding to the evidence a recovery is gaining traction. “Colorado’s painful recession during much of the past three years will give way to more solid performance over the balance of 2011 and especially in 2012. It’s about time,” said Jeff Thredgold, […]
Rising sales tax collections continue to reflect increased spending in Mesa County. According to a Mesa County report for March, sales tax collections totalled $2.58 million, a nearly 9 percent increase over the report for March 2010. Reports covering the first quarter of the year show the county collected a total of $13.72 million, almost […]
Gordon Harbert has faced a series of difficult decisions in the aftermath of a dramatic downturn in the construction industry. Harbert laid off employees, closed a store and ultimately sold the building materials business his family started in Grand Junction more than 70 years ago. While the housing market eventually will recover, the effects of […]
A woman with a broad range of experience in city and state government positions is expected to begin work in July as the new Mesa County administrator. The county commissioners announced they’ve selected Chantal Unfug as administrator and she’s verbally accepted their offer. The announcement concludes the second of two job searches for a successor […]
An executive chef and beverage manager from a popular Boulder restaurant are among the people who’ll present demonstrations at the upcoming Colorado Mountain Winefest in Palisade. Kevin Kidd, executive chef at SALT, and Evan Faber, beverage manager, will headline the chef demonstrations at the Winefest. SALT, a bistro-style neighborhood restaurant, opened in 2009. “Two of […]
A Grand Junction-based company has installed what it describes as the largest solar array in the region to power a retail operation. Syndicated Solar installed the array at Peach Tree True Value Hardware, 2963 North Ave. in Grand Junction. The 97-kilowatt photovoltaic array includes 396 panels and nine inverters. According to Syndicated Solar, the array […]