Increased hiring across a range of industry sectors is expected to pull down unemployment and push up business prospects in Mesa County in 2014, according to an annual forecast prepared at the University of Colorado. “Overall, Mesa County expects employment growth in the construction, aviation, aerospace, health care and food and beverage manufacturing industries,” states the […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sales tax collections in Mesa County have increased on a year-over-year basis for a second consecutive month, an encouraging development for local retailers and government coffers. Mesa County reported collecting a total of nearly $2.27 million in sales taxes for its capital improvement and general funds in November. That’s an increase […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Business owners and managers remain mostly subdued in their outlook for economic conditions in the Grand Valley, according to the latest results of a twice-yearly member survey conducted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. While more owners and managers expect sales and staffing to increase than decrease over […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Kelly Murphy considers herself an advocate for the employees who work for Family Health West as well as the Fruita health care organization. But that’s not necessarily a difficult balancing act for the director of human resources for Family Health West. “It’s very, very easy with the company I work […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sales numbers continue to add up to recovery in the real estate market in Mesa County. With one month left to go in 2013, the number of real estate transactions in the county has nearly matched the total for 2012. The combined dollar volume of those deals already has exceeded […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Keith Ehlers enjoys the proximity of Grand Junction to just about everything he loves. He can drive to the mountains or slickrock canyons in less than an hour. Moreover, he prefers the small-town atmosphere and independent lifestyle. So when the company for which Ehlers works entered into an alliance with […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The apartment vacancy rate has dropped in Grand Junction, but remains higher than in many other metropolitan areas of Colorado, according to the latest results of a quarterly survey of rental markets across the state. The average monthly rent also dropped during the third quarter in Grand Junction, although the […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence has retreated to its lowest level in seven months, a discouraging trend for retailers at the beginning of the holiday shopping season. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index dropped two points to 70.4 in November. With declines in each of the last three months, the index […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has tumbled to its lowest level in nearly five years as an increase in seasonal hiring puts more people to work. According to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate in Mesa County fell […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times It’s not the spacious lobby with the gas fireplace and leather furniture that brings guests back to the Best Western Grande River Inn and Suites in Clifton. It’s not the indoor swimming pool, exercise room or even the meticulously landscape courtyard, either. According to owner and general manager Karen Nielson, […]