A monthly measure of consumer confidence has climbed for a third straight month to reach its highest point in more than five years. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index jumped more than seven points in June to 81.4. The index has risen to its highest level since standing at 87.3 in January […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has slipped below 8 percent for the first time in more than four years as a number of indicators reflect a slowly improving labor market. The size of the workforce has yet to rebound, however, and finding full-time work remains a challenge for […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The company that oversaw construction of the patient tower at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction has been awarded a contract to complete two vacant floors in the 12-story structure. FCI Constructors will serve as general contractor on a $40 million project to build a surgical nursing unit on the […]
A monthly index forecasting economic performance in the United States continues to edge up even as the potential increases for stronger growth in the second half of the year. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose a tenth of a percent to 95.2 in May. The index has increased 1.9 percent […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While worksite wellness programs promote healthier employees, the benefits extend beyond that immediate goal. “This isn’t just a feel-good thing,” said Heidi Hoffman, health promotion specialist with the Mesa County Health Department. In fact, the direct cost of lower health insurance premiums constitutes just the tip of an iceberg of […]
While property foreclosure activity has fallen over the past year, Mesa County continues to experience the highest foreclosure rate among 12 metropolitan counties in Colorado. According to the latest statistics compiled by the Colorado Division of Housing, Mesa County reported a foreclosure rate of one completed foreclosure per 940 households in May. Pueblo County experienced […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sales tax collections continue to decline in the Grand Valley, a lengthening trend attributed in part to a decrease in regional energy exploration and production. According to the May report from the City of Grand Junction, sales and use tax collections totalled $3.7 million, a decrease of 5.1 percent compared […]
Letters of interest and resumes will be accepted through 5 p.m. June 28 from applicants interested in serving on a vacant seat on the Grand Junction City Council. The seat representing District E on the council became vacant with the death of Harry Butler. The council will appoint a successor to serve until the next […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Mesa County will receive more than $3 million in lieu of taxes on federal lands for the 2013 fiscal year. The payment is double what the county received last year and accounts for nearly 10 percent of total payments to Colorado counties for FY 2013. The payment was lower last […]
Lodging tax revenues continue to decline in Grand Junction, although the latest decrease was the smallest in a six-month slide in hotel and motel business. According to the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau report for May, $92,453 in lodging tax revenues were collected, 2 percent less than what was reported for the same month […]