First grads complete engineering program

Nine students have earned diplomas as the first graduating class of a mechanical engineering degree program offered jointly by Colorado Mesa University and the University of Colorado. Students attend classes at CMU in Grand Junction. CMU faculty teach lower-division courses, while CU faculty teach upper-division courses. Graduates receive bachelor’s degrees from CU. A total of […]

Farm exports from Colorado on the increase

Agricultural exports from Colorado continue to outpace last year, led by increases in the sale of meat and dairy products. The value of agricultural exports during the first two months of 2012 totalled $222 million, up $45 million from the same span last year. The 25 percent gain constituted the fourth year in a row […]

Signs point the way to Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway

Signs have been installed to direct people along a route showcasing the fruit and wine-growing area around Palisade. A dedication for the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 11 at High Country Orchards & Vineyards and Colterris Winery, 3548 E 1/2 Road. The event will include tours through the orchards, […]

Energetic marketing effort pays off

Phil Castle, The Business Times How can companies convince college graduates with degrees in engineering, accounting and other professional fields to consider careers in the energy industry? One recruiting tool could be a reality television show that offers both an educational and entertaining look at the variety of jobs in the industry while appealing to […]

Women entrepreneurs encouraged to take steps toward success

Phil Castle, The Business Times Rachel Cosgrove defies any outdated stereotype of women as damsels in distress. Cosgrove has developed one of the top gyms in the United State and along the way has become a corporate consultant, magazine columnist and best-selling author. Other women can enjoy similar success if they take the correct steps […]

Colorado ranks 10th in state tax index

Colorado ranks among the top 10 states in the latest analysis of how tax systems affect small business and entrepreneurship. Colorado comes in at 10th in the 2012 Business Tax Index calculated by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, an advocacy, research and networking organization based in Washington, D.C. Colorado also ranked 10th in the […]

Economic outlook uncertain

Phil Castle, The Business Times Scott Anderson ranks among the top forecasting economists in the United States. Faced with the uncertainty associated with a slow recovery in the U.S., a recession in Europe and an upcoming presidential election, though, even Anderson has difficulty discerning the future. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in 2013,” […]

Fare plan: turn dough into profits

Fare plan: turn dough into profits

Phil Castle, The Business Times Anne Keller and Jen Zeuner dreamed their entrepreneurial dreams for years, thinking about ways to turn their knowledge and passion for mountain biking into a business. Keller and Zeuner realized those dreams in a venture that caters to mountain bike enthusiasts, but in a different way than they initially contemplated. […]

Bad policymaking at fault for dismal economic news

It’s hard to be both an entrepreneur and pessimist. Entrepreneurship really requires optimism. Of course, that optimism must be rooted in reality. Consequently, it’s been tough to be an entrepreneur in recent years, not to mention an economist for a small business advocacy group. After all, you long to remain optimistic about the economy, but […]

Real estate agents earn designation

Orrin Thompson and Heidi Elder of Real Estate West in Grand Junction have earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representation designation. The Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the National Association of Realtors awards the designation to real estate professionals who complete courses in buyer representation and submit documentation verifying their experience. Thompson serves as coordinator of […]