Swim event likely to make a big splash

Phil Castle, The Business Times More than 900 swimmers are expected to compete in a statewide meet in Grand Junction, making in the process what likely will be a big economic splash. The Colorado Long Course State Championships scheduled for July 26 to 28 could generate an estimated $230,000 in direct spending on hotel rooms, […]

Equipped for growth: Telecommunications firm expands Grand Junction operation

Equipped for growth: Telecommunications firm expands Grand Junction operation

Phil Castle, The Business Times Not yet a year after moving into a three-story warehouse along East Main Street in Grand Junction, Teltech Communications has nearly packed the place full of telecommunications equipment in various stages of assembly and disassembly. Large metal cabinets housing the electronics that make cellular telephones work line up in row […]

June jobless rate jumps in Mesa County

Phil Castle The Business Times Only a month after dipping below 8 percent for the first time in more than four years, the unemployment rate has climbed back to 9 percent in Mesa County. But the gain has more to do with a seasonal influx in people searching for summer jobs than changing labor conditions. […]

Business Incubator Center bringing services to Fruita

Phil Castle, The Business Times The Business Incubator Center will soon open a satellite operation in Fruita to assist existing businesses as well as help launch new ventures. Jon Maraschin, executive director of the center, said the operation should open within weeks on the second floor of the Civic Center, located at 325 E. Aspen […]

Energy research park inspires local plans

Phil Castle, The Business Times An energy research park in Houston and the collaboration between industry and academia there offer inspiration for what could be a similar operation in Mesa County, albeit on a much smaller scale. “There’s potential for at least some part of that here,” said Michael Burke, a lawyer who serves as […]

Midyear update: Colorado economy better than expected

Phil Castle, The Business Times The Colorado economy has performed better than expected with improving job growth and increased residential construction and tourism activity, according to a mid-year update prepared at the University of Colorado. While the update doesn’t include a breakdown for geographical areas, a number of the trends could portend improving conditions for […]

Gains in sales tax collections end nearly year-long slide

Phil Castle, The Business Times A nearly year-long slide in sales tax collections in the Grand Valley is over — at least for a month. The City of Grand Junction and Mesa County both reported year-over-year gains in June, offering a measure of hope among government administrators a source of funding and indicator of retail […]

What now? Delay raises questions about health reform law

What now? Delay raises questions about health reform law

Phil Castle, The Business Times What’s been announced as a delay in a implementing a key provision of federal health care law gives some businesses another year to prepare for requirements they offer insurance to employees or pay fines. While it applies only to businesses with the equivalent of 50 or more full-time employees, the […]

Mesa County real estate activity rises, but outlook uncertain

Phil Castle, The Business Times Michael Burkhard feels encouraged by increasing real estate activity in Mesa County through the first half of 2013, yet remains apprehensive about what could happen during the second half. He’s worried rising interest rates and regulatory changes could slow what’s been steady improvement in the local market. “There’s still a […]