Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate has edged up in Mesa County, but remains at a low level that reflects a stable, albeit tight, labor market. “It looks like it’s staying pretty consistent here,” said Lindsay Bullock, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Tabi Britt hopes to change any perceptions of the Mesa County Workforce Center as a last stop for employers looking to fill vacancies or, for that matter, people looking for jobs. “I’d love to have them see us as their first stop,” says Britt, the new employment services supervisor at […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Comprehensive planning and significant investments in infrastructure will pay off in promoting economic development in the Grand Valley, local government officials say. Challenges persist, though, among them the availability of affordable housing. And imposing a heavier state regulatory burden to usurp local controls won’t help. “That one size fits all […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times If Tony Gagliardi were to assign a letter grade to the latest session of the Colorado Legislature, it would be a D. His marks would be even lower for the partisanship he said has replaced statesmanship. “There’s no respect left,” said Gagliardi, state director of the National Federation of Independent […]
What do journalists want? Besides fewer hours and fatter paychecks that is. It’s a question with implications that extend far beyond my selfish desires. Not only for media, but also those who depend on media. I’d contend that’s just about everyone. Cision, a public relations and earned media software company, recently released its annual state […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Real estate sales continue to lag in Mesa County, but activity could increase in coming months. “I really do anticipate we’ll see some interesting movement in the marketplace in the second half,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray & Co. Real Estate in Grand Junction. While higher interest […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Brittany Dixon loves nothing more than bringing people to the table to discuss issues affecting Western Colorado. And she’s got a table. A figurative one in the coalition she oversees as the new executive director, but also literal ones at the events Club 20 hosts across the region. “There’s space […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Three Western Colorado legislators said they’re pleased with some of what happened during the latest session — including the measures they helped shepherd into law. But they were also disappointed by what else transpired — including a last-minute push to put a measure on the ballot aimed at reducing property […]
I loathe the imprecise use of words. My head literally explodes at the mere thought of it. I’m exaggerating, of course, to make a point. But no less so than what appears to me to be the growing number of people who use literally when they mean figuratively. I admit I’m a grammar curmudgeon whose […]
I’ve had a lot of blessings to count over my 24-year tenure as editor of the Business Times. Chief among them, of course, the ongoing opportunity to talk to so many remarkable entrepreneurs and tell their success stories. But here are two more blessings to add to my lengthy list. I haven’t been an interviewee […]