Phil Castle, The Business Times Rich Wobbekind foresees good things in the year ahead for the Mesa County economy and local businesses. “Right now, the economy here looks to be in a very strong growth phase,” said Wobbekind, senior economist at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The agriculture, […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Ivan Geer enjoys his career as an engineer because, he says, he likes to learn how things work and solve problems. He also prefers a team effort over top down management. It’s an approach Geer says he brings not only to his role as an owner of River City Consultants […]
An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to increase, signaling growth in the months ahead. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index rose 1.1 percent to 119.9 in November. A separate measure of current conditions also increased, while a measure of past performance edged down. The Leading Economic Index has advanced […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate remains unchanged in Mesa County even as labor demand remains strong, especially in the health care sector. The labor force continues to grow, positioning the county well for the year ahead, said Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. “I’m hopeful […]
Colorado ranks 20th among the 50 states in the latest comparison of how tax systems affect businesses. Colorado fared well in the comparison for lower corporate and individual income taxes, but less so for property and sales taxes and unemployment insurance. The Tax Foundation — a nonprofit, nonpartisan tax research organization based in Washington, D.C. […]
A total of nearly $133,000 in grants have been awarded to fund four conservation projects in Mesa County. The Great Outdoors Colorado board of directors approved the grants as part of a partnership with the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA). The program funds the employment of conservation corps for natural resource and outdoor recreation projects. […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners has edged up, but also reflects record-low expectations for improving conditions. “As the end of the year nears, the outlook for business conditions is not encouraging to small business owners as lawmakers propose additional mandates and tax increases,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation […]
Four Grand Junction-based companies rank among the top 200 private firms in Colorado, according to the latest results of an annual magazine listing. Compiled for Colorado Biz magazine, the 2021 rankings are based on self-reported gross revenues for 2020. Companies must be headquartered in Colorado to make the list. Dalby, Wendland & Co., a public […]
West Star Aviation has announced plans to expand its facilities in Grand Junction to keep pace with its growing aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul business. The plans include a new 40,000-square-foot hangar with an additional 35,000 square feet of shop and office space. West Star also plans to expand its facilities in Illinois and Tennessee. […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While a pandemic sidetracked business and economic growth in Mesa County, the area is recovering. The prognosis for 2022 is mostly upbeat. “The overall health isn’t bad,” says Rich Wobbekind, senior economist at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Higher commodity and natural gas […]