Phil Castle, The Business Times After years spent volunteering for a variety of business and charitable organizations, Janet Brink has channeled her passion for community service into her new role as executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County. And Brink couldn’t be happier with the mission at hand: providing safe, decent and affordable […]
One of my earliest clients is a delightful couple who operate successful businesses in the Grand Valley. Bill’s business sense has generated moderate success, and Bill and Carole have been able to salt away enough in mutual funds they’re comfortable in thinking about retirement. They remain concerned, though, that their savings might not be there […]
Planning is vital to enjoying a happy and peaceful retirement — not just financial planning, but preparation in a wide range of areas. My investment and retirement planning practice breaks planning issues into four distinct stages. We encourage people to start planning at least 10 years before hitting their retirement dates. While successful retirees share […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While apartment vacancies in Grand Junction rose as they usually do during the first quarter, Cindy Hoppe remains skeptical the increase was as dramatic as what was reported as the latest results of a statewide survey. “Things were not all rosy. But things were not all that bad, either,” said […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While hotel and motel business in the Grand Valley slowed through the first four months of the year, busier summer and fall seasons are expected to reverse the trend. “Things do look better for May, June and beyond,” said Barb Bowman, division manager of the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has increased on more upbeat expectations for an improving economy and increased sales and hiring. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Index of Small Business Optimism rose 2.6 points to 92.1 in April. Still, the latest index reading and the survey results […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sales tax collections continue to decline in the Grand Valley, albeit at a slower pace that offers some encouragement the trend could change. “We’re hoping we’re moving in the right direction,” said Elizabeth Tice-Janda, revenue supervisor for the City of Grand Junction. For now, though, lower tax collections constitute a […]
Nearly everyone I know has had a bad boss at one time or another during their careers. A recent Gallup poll of more than 1 million employed U.S. workers confirmed the No. 1 reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss or immediate supervisor. “People leave managers, not companies … . In the end, […]
An employer sponsored 401(k) plan constitutes a great tool to help employees save for the future. But it’s important to understand your plan and play an active role in monitoring your benefits to make sure you achieve your retirement goals. The first step in using a 401(k) is understanding the key provisions of the plan […]
Richard Krohn, a Grand Junction attorney whose practice includes real estate and land use law, has been appointed to the Colorado Real Estate Commission. The commission regulates the licensing and conduct of real estate brokers and salespeople and pre-owned home warranty service companies. Krohn will serve as an expert in subdivision development on the commission […]