Public participation sought in Orchard Mesa planning

Phil Castle, The Business Times Three open houses are scheduled to answer questions and hear comments as work continues on a long-term plan for the Orchard Mesa area of the Grand Valley. The events will offer business owners and managers as well as residents an opportunity to participate in the process of drafting a plan […]

Trends continue to point to improving real estate conditions

Phil Castle, The Business Times Increasing real estate activity and decreasing property foreclosure activity continue to point to improving conditions in Mesa County. “We keep trudging that way, and it’s really great to see,” said Annette Miller, vice president of Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction. Michael Burkhard, a real estate agent with RE/MAX 4000 […]

British diplomat sees opportunities for Grand Valley businesses

Phil Castle, The Business Times A British diplomat building relationships between Colorado and the United Kingdom sees potential in the Grand Valley for increased exports of agricultural products and wines as well as more tourism business from visiting Brits. Regardless of what industry sector is involved, though, a wide range of information and assistance is […]

New name reflects growing mission for hospice organization

Phil Castle, The Business Times An organization that for 20 years has provided a growing array of services to people facing serious illnesses, end of life and grief has changed its name to better reflect its expanding mission. Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado is now HopeWest. “It’s who we’ve become as an organization,” […]

Growing bicycle parts manufacturer among companies to watch

Growing bicycle parts manufacturer among companies to watch

Phil Castle, The Business Times In the midst of manufacturing a variety of bicycle components under multiple brands, Tim Fry said the objective of his company remains constant: to take the comparison out of comparison shopping. “Our goal is to always make a product our core customers love,” he said. In the process of focusing […]

New SBA regional director out to help entrepreneurs

Phil Castle, The Business Times Matt Varilek knows from personal experience the importance of helping entrepreneurs turn businesses often started on dining room tables into successful ventures. In addition to his experiences as an aide to two U.S. Senators from South Dakota and his training in economic development, Varilek said he assisted his wife when […]

Unique boutique: Crafty vendors realize entrepreneurial dreams

Unique boutique: Crafty vendors realize entrepreneurial dreams

Phil Castle, The Business Times Connie Ferguson jokes that what started out as a craft show exploded into a department store. In looking for a location for an extended holiday arts and crafts show, Ferguson founded instead an enterprise that’s evolved far beyond her initial expectations in offering a year-round venue in which artists and […]

Mesa County jobless rate trending downward

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County continues to decline as hiring heats up along with the spring weather. Drops in the jobless rate in each of the last three months as well as a separate measure of labor demand offer encouragement labor conditions are improving and an overall work […]