Phil Castle, The Business Times

From his vantage point as a Mesa County commissioner, Scott McInnis likes what he sees in the Grand Valley. “There are a lot of positive things going on valley wide.”

But McInnis also worries that growing gains eventually could result in some growing pains. “What if things get too good?”

McInnis was among the government officials who offered their overviews of local economic conditions during the latest State of the Valley luncheon hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.

Officials cited increased development, business openings and tax revenues as encouraging indicators of growth. But they also cited the need to provide services, maintain infrastructure and plan for how to accommodate growth. Business owners and managers play a role in that planning.

“What do we want to become? What do we want to look like?” asked Frank Whidden, Mesa County administrator.

From Palisade to Grand Junction to Fruita, the outlook among the eight officials who participated in the panel discussion at the luncheon was generally update.

Palisade Mayor Roger Granat said the town has long experienced ups and downs, but the trend lately has been what he called “a gradual upswing.”

Palisade Town Administrator Janet Hawkinson agreed. “We have some great things happening in Palisade.”

Hawkinson cited the opening of a new Cameo shooting complex east of Palisade and the proposed Palisade Plunge, a 32-mile mountain bike trail dropping 6,000 feet from the Grand Mesa to Palisade.

Phyllis Norris, a member of the Grand Junction City Council, hailed the development of a business park in Los Colonias Park. The opening of a Dillard’s in the Mesa Mall will help make Grand Junction a shopping destination again, Norris said. “When you have that, it’s good for all businesses.”

Grand Junction City Manager Greg Caton said there’s a growing awareness — particularly on the Front Range — of the Grand Valley as a place in which to relocate and expand businesses. “We are now on the radar screen.”

Fruita Major Joel Kincaid said there’s been an increase there in residential and commercial development.

Fruita Town Manager Mike Bennett welcomed the trend. “I think it’s really healthy we’re seeing both at the same time.”

Existing operations are expanding as well, Bennett said, including FHE and the Colorado Canyons Hospital.

Most of the government officials mentioned sales and lodging tax revenues among the economic indicators they monitor. In Palisade, taxes on the sale of marijuana have helped the town maintain streets and buy equipment, Granat said “Absolutely it helps.”

Officials said they also monitor unemployment rates, wages and building permits. McInnis said the use of the Mesa County landfill constitutes another indicator.

While growth helps to foster a healthier business environment, it also raises some concerns, officials said.

“We are having some growth pressures,” Caton said, citing increased traffic as one example.

Officials in Palisade and Fruita said they face challenges in accommodating growth while maintaining a small town atmosphere.

Whidden said he’s worried about the effects of urbanization in the Grand Valley on the local agricultural industry.

McInnis proposed a toast at the luncheon in celebration of the precipitation that’s ended drought conditions. “We’ve got water this year. We’re blessed.”

But McInnis warned the availability of water remains “a huge issue for the future” that could affect growth.

Officials in Grand Junction and Fruita said efforts are under way to update comprehensive plans that will determine where growth occurs and encouraged participation in those processes.

Kincaid said officials in Fruita pay attention to what business owners and residents have to say about city services and policies. “We listen.”