Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped below 9 percent for the first time this year as the latest labor estimate finally reflects what’s been rising labor demand. There’s hope, too, that hiring at several new retailers will lead to additional jobs elsewhere and the start of a […]
Property foreclosure filings continue to increase in Mesa County at the fastest pace of any of 12 metropolitan counties in Colorado. Foreclosure sales have relented, however, and Mesa County moved from first to second in a ranking of the highest foreclosure rates in the 12 counties in August. According to the latest statistics from the […]
An index forecasting economic performance in the United States has declined for a third time in six months, signaling only slow growth in the months ahead. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Indicator (LEI) dipped a tenth of a percent to 95.7 in August. Separate measures of current and past economic performance edged […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The pace of sales tax collections, a key indicator of retail sales, continues to slow with year-over-year decreases in both Grand Junction and Mesa County. According to its latest monthly report, sales and use tax collections in the city dropped 2 percent, the first decline since November. Sale tax collections in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Colorado Mesa University has named its nursing school after an entrepreneurial and philanthropic couple who’ve long supported the university. A new sign designating the Moss School of Nursing at the Maverick Center was unveiled at the conclusion of a brief ceremony on the Grand Junction campus. The name honors John […]
A state representative from Grand Junction seeking election to a second term is among 49 legislative candidates who’ve received endorsements from the National Federation of Independent Business. Ray Scott, a Republican running in House District 55, is among 21 incumbents in 38 House races to receive endorsements from the NFIB, a small business advocacy group […]
On September 19 the Chamber is hosting a workshop for businesses on the new health care law, courtesy of Chamber member Hoskin, Farina and Kampf. While there is a lot of trepidation on the part of businesses these days over what the future may hold, this is the one law that is generating the most […]
I had a conversation with a gentleman recently about selling his business. His feelings were hurt when I told him I did not think he “owned a business” that had any value worth selling. My point is that lots of folks think they own a business when, in fact, they have just created a job […]
Once again we are reaching the close of a tax year end with uncertainty as to the estate tax law that will be in place next year. While there is generally broad consensus between Republicans and Democrats alike that the exemption amount should be fixed at between $3.5 to $5 million dollars, this law like […]
Six professionals have joined the board of directors of the Western Slope Division of the March of Dimes: James Arrieta, business development manager for Bellco Credit Union. Arrieta also serves as volunteer development chairman for the board. Erika Jones, creator of Synergy Marketing Consultants. She […]