Kelly Sloan, The Business Times Proposed immigration reforms could pose significant effects on local business, including a measure requiring the use of an electronic employment verification system within five years. Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, said that overall she’s optimistic about federal immigration legislation, noting […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Rock Cesario remembers well the predictions he’s heard over the years. Changing music technology would relegate vinyl albums to a dustbin of history already piled high with buggy whips. As it turned out, though, rumors of the death of records were always greatly exaggerated. Even in an age of iPhones […]
Lodging tax collections continue to lag in Grand Junction, a reflection of decreased business for hotels and motels. According to the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau report for March, $58,124 in lodging taxes were collected, 12.8 percent less than what was reported for the same month last year. For reports covering the first three […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sales tax collections, a key measure of retail activity, continue to decline, extending a downward trend that’s not only puzzled government officials, but also forced them to reconsider their budgets for this year. According to a March report prepared by the City of Grand Junction, sales and use tax collections […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County continues to retreat even as labor demand increases. But no dramatic drops in the jobless rate are expected any time soon. “I think it’s going to inch down a little bit at a time,” said Jessica Marler, an administrator at the Mesa County […]
Colorado continues to rank among the top 10 business-friendly states in an annual analysis of the cost of tax systems on starting and growing small businesses. Colorado moved up two spots to eighth in the 2013 Business Tax Index calculated by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, a small business advocacy and research group based […]
An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has slipped after three straight months of gains, but continues to signal slow growth in the months ahead. A separate measure of current economic performance also edged down, while a measure of past performance increased. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) dipped […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sarah Davis works as a matchmaker of sorts for the energy industry in connecting companies in need of staff with qualified employees looking for jobs. And nothing makes Davis happier than finding the right fit. “It’s a win-win,” she said. Davis operates Fastline Energy Services, a Grand Junction-based recruiting and […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A new business organization formed in part to foster connections with a growing Latino population in the region plans a coming out party of sorts. The Western Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a kickoff celebration for 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 2 at the La Bamba Restaurant, 546 […]
Mark Wingerter has joined Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction as a broker associate. Wingerter brings to his new position experience in retail management. “Mark is extremely customer-service oriented. And his track record of accomplishments in his prior endeavors is highly applicable to this profession,” said Robert Bray, president of Bray Real Estate. Wingerter said […]