Phil Castle, The Business Times Matt Varilek hopes to convince more investment fund managers to participate in a government program that not only offers them the potential to earn higher returns, but also offers access to more capital to small businesses. “It’s truly a classic public-private partnership,” said Varilek, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times As Colorado Mesa University continues to grow, so do the effects of CMU on the Western Colorado economy. The latest results of an economic impact study estimate the total direct and indirect effects of the university tops $417 million. That total for the 2013-2014 fiscal year is nearly […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Andy Daly expects a new chairlift at Powderhorn Mountain Resort to wisk skiers and snowboarders up the slopes twice as fast next season. But the co-owner of the resort is equally excited about how a $5 million project will accelerate summer business, too, in attracting bikers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While the new year is off to a slightly slower start for real estate activity in Mesa County, the outlook for continued improvement in the local market remains upbeat. “It was a slow start, but I don’t think that’s going to detour our progress,” said Annette Miller, senior vice president of […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Economic growth should continue through 2015 in the United States with rising consumer spending and corporate profits and falling unemployment rates. But a strong dollar and slumping oil prices likely will bring both gains and pains in the coming year, said Doug May, regional manager for Avant-Garde Advisors in Grand Junction. […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A Western Slope telecommunications company has acquired a hotel and restaurant on the Grand Mesa that will be used in part to train military veterans to work in the industry. Teltech Communications has entered into a lease-to-own agreement for SlopeSide Hotel at Powderhorn Mountain Resort. The facility will continue to operate […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While the promise of commercial oil shale production has yet to be fully realized in Western Colorado, Brad McCloud believes there’s an upside to slow development. As technology to extract oil from shale improves, so do the prospects of doing so in economically and environmentally sustainable ways, […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The Mesa County unemployment rate has edged up for a second straight month as seasonal layoffs and slowing in the energy industry affect the local labor market. While the jobless rate remains far lower than this time last year and other indicators signal improvement, the outlook has turned more guarded, said […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Increased lodging tax collections and other indicators reflect recovery in Grand Valley tourism, officials say. “We really feel we’re turning the corner — finally,” said Barb Bowman, director of sales and division manager of the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau. While Grand Junction hotel and motel occupancy rates increased in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A strong finish helped push sales tax collections in the Grand Valley to higher levels in 2014. The upward trend is expected to continue in 2015, which bodes well for local retailers. “We’re happy. All the signs are going in the right direction now for sure,” said Mesa County Administrator Frank […]