Forecast for Colorado: growth ahead

While Colorado likely will lag behind the nation in economic recovery, speakers at an annual economic forecast breakfast said they expect modest growth. Still, a number of factors could slow that growth, including continued high unemployment rates. Vectra Bank Colorado hosted the event in Denver, which featured Mark Snead, a vice president and executive with […]

Lodging tax stats up for two months, down for 2010

The lodging business in Mesa County fared comparatively well during October and November with increases in lodging tax collections during those months over the same months in 2009. According to the lodging tax report filed in December, which reflects business in November, $69,053 was collected by hotels, a 4.7 percent increase over the December report […]

Wells Fargo: Colorado SBA lending up

The leading lender for U.S. Small Business Administration programs in Colorado reports an increase in activity during the first quarter of the 2011 fiscal year compared to the same quarter last year. Wells Fargo reported that it issued 86 loans worth a combined $35 million in Colorado through the SBA 7(a) loan guarantee program. That […]

New mill seen as boost for uranium production

While manufacturing in the United States might not be the strong economic base it once was, the mining business could be another story over the next 20 years. And if the push for clean burning fuels persists, the uranium business in particular could be on the verge of another boom. And should a proposed uranium […]

Real estate activity picks up in January

Real estate activity in Mesa County increased in January compared to the same month last year, a gain those working in the industry consider a hopeful start to 2011. “It was a nice thing to see it go up,” said Annette Miller, senior vice president of Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction. According to figures […]

Commissioners advised to hire permanent administrator

An interim Mesa County administrator has recommended that the commissioners hire a permanent administrator, but also change their involvement with county departments. “I believe the county administrator position is a vital link in the county’s current structure. But I also recommend developing a mechanism to create a more direct link between the county’s elected officials […]

Economic development planning efforts involve business

Efforts are under way to draft an economic development plan for Mesa County based in large part on what business owners and managers see as opportunities and challenges. In addition to answering questions on an online survey, business people and others interested in business are encouraged to attend a two-hour planning session set for Feb. […]

Growing by degrees: Higher education levels seen as economic boost

While the latest results of an ongoing analysis confirm the growing role of Mesa State College in the Western Colorado economy, another statistic could have potential long-term effects on the regional economy as well. In addition to announcing the direct and indirect effects of the college contribute more than $300 million a year to the […]

A model of efficiency: Project to transform courthouse into net-zero energy use historic building

An historic building in downtown Grand Junction will serve as a model for refitting old structures with new technologies to make them more energy efficient. A project to renovate the 92-year-old Wayne Aspinall Federal Building and Courthouse not only will preserve the historic features of the building, but also install geothermal and solar systems that […]