Real estate slowdown continues into new year

Phil Castle, The Business Times A slowdown in real estate activity in Mesa County has continued into the new year with double-digit declines in transactions and dollar volume in January. The pace of sales is expected to pick up. But by the end of 2014, levels are likely to remain close to those reported for 2013, […]

Upcoming event to highlight diverse energy industry

Phil Castle, The Business Times An upcoming event in Grand Junction once again will offer a mix of speakers and vendors involved in different types of energy production: a little bit traditional fossil fuels, but also a little bit alternative and renewable sources. “We’ve got a little bit of everything,” said George Rossman, who organizes the annual […]

Furnishing help at workforce center saves taxpayers money

Phil Castle, The Business Times A Grand Junction business helped orchestrate an effort to refurbish office furniture for the new Mesa County Workforce Center, saving taxpayers a hefty chunk of money in the process. “I turned out nice. I think it was good for everyone,” said Duncan Rowley, president and chief executive officer of Office Outfitters […]

Mesa County jobless rate remains at four-year low

Phil Castle, The Business Times It’s official: 2013 ended with the monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County at its lowest level in nearly four years. The question now, though, is whether 2014 will begin with a higher jobless rate and, if so, how much higher. If history repeats itself, the rate will move higher, said Suzie […]

Workforce center manager sees potential in new building

  Phil Castle, The Business Times When Suzie Miller looks around the newly constructed building that soon will house the Mesa County Workforce Center,  all she sees is potential. The expansive lobby and nearby resource room and classrooms will offer ample space to help people find jobs. And bringing various facilties and services under one roof […]

Travel bureau awarded for website marketing

Phil Castle, The Business Times The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau has earned what’s considered the Oscar of the travel industry for its website. The VCB and Miles, the firm that developed and maintains the website, received a Magellan Award in an annual program conducted by Travel Weekly, a publication that serves the travel industry. […]

Travel and tourism outlook improving for Grand Valley

Phil Castle, The Business Times Debbie Kovalik believes the new normal for the travel and tourism industry in the Grand Valley soon will look like the old normal, meaning more visitors and more business for hotels, restaurants and retailers. “It’s better than it has been, and that’s exciting,” said Kovalik, director of the economic, convention and […]

Hickenlooper updates development effort

Phil Castle, The Business Times Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper returned to the area where he kicked off a grassroots effort to develop a new economic development plan for the state to offer an update as well as some encouragement. Given differences in economic recovery between the Front Range and Western Slope, though, Hickenlooper faced tough questions […]

Business center extends services with Fruita operations

Phil Castle, The Business Times For now, the spacious room on the second floor of the Fruita Civic Center offers office space with desks and a conference table. What the room becomes, however, will depend on the needs of entrepreneurs using the satellite operation of the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction. “It’s a blank canvas,” […]