Phil Castle, The Business Times A group of entrepreneurs involved in the growing lavender industry in Western Colorado once again will host a festival to showcase the versatile plant and it’s many uses. “We want to share with the outside world what we’re doing,” said Sunny Howland, president of the Lavender Association of Western Colorado. […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Heidi Ihrke describes the development of the solar energy industry in terms of a quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. Solar is on the brink of winning,” said Ihrke, co-owner of High Noon Solar in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Business and job growth remain important priorities for Mesa County under a new strategic plan developed to guide county government. “We want a county environment that’s business friendly,” said Mesa County Commissioner Steve Aquafresca. Lower taxes and fees, fewer regulations and partnerships with local business and economic development groups all […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Dr. Mitch Copeland foresees a lot of advantages to relocating the orthopedics and sports medicine practice with which he works to a new and larger medical office building that will be shared with other Grand Valley practices. “There’ll be a lot of facilities under one roof, a lot of services […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has slipped below 8 percent for the first time in more than four years as a number of indicators reflect a slowly improving labor market. The size of the workforce has yet to rebound, however, and finding full-time work remains a challenge for […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The company that oversaw construction of the patient tower at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction has been awarded a contract to complete two vacant floors in the 12-story structure. FCI Constructors will serve as general contractor on a $40 million project to build a surgical nursing unit on the […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While worksite wellness programs promote healthier employees, the benefits extend beyond that immediate goal. “This isn’t just a feel-good thing,” said Heidi Hoffman, health promotion specialist with the Mesa County Health Department. In fact, the direct cost of lower health insurance premiums constitutes just the tip of an iceberg of […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Mesa County will receive more than $3 million in lieu of taxes on federal lands for the 2013 fiscal year. The payment is double what the county received last year and accounts for nearly 10 percent of total payments to Colorado counties for FY 2013. The payment was lower last […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The debate over renewable energy standards has intensified following the enactment of a controversial state law increasing those standards in Colorado. Those in favor of the new law argue higher standards have promoted the development of renewable energy industries and along with them investments in new projects and the creation […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Ed Forsman lists the projects his construction company has completed, the projects the Grand Junction-based firm has under way and the proposed projects on which he hopes to soon work. FCI Constructors recently completed a combination brewery and restaurant. The company is the midst of work on the new Mesa […]