Phil Castle, The Business Times Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper considers economic development efforts in Mesa County a model for what can be accomplished statewide. Promoting innovation in the energy industry, marketing a stronger community brand and, above all, helping existing businesses grow constitute important steps in strengthening economic recovery, Hickenlooper said. State government can play […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Doug Kiesewetter expects his company to deliver three solar energy systems by the end of this year, the beginning of what he envisions as rapid growth for the Western Colorado venture. In the process, Kiesewetter said BrightLeaf Power also will deliver on the promise of more efficient systems that produce […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Mesa County and three other groups have have joined in what’s characterized as a majority of organizational support for plans to set aside a large swath of public land in the West for potential oil shale development The groups support the same preferred alternative included in a programmatic environmental impact […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Lands End Amber represents not only a popular choice among customers at Kannah Creek Brewing Co., but also judges at some of the biggest beer competitions in the world. Lands End Amber won a silver medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival, an event conducted in October in Denver […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Eric Ross describes the dilemma of the craft beer industry. Those operating brew pubs and making beer on a small scale want to expand production and test their products in a bigger marketplace. Those working at production facilities yearn for the creativity and flexibility that comes with brewing beer in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped to its lowest level since early 2009 as the latest labor estimates include an increase in local payrolls of more than 1,000. The gain is tempered, though, by the announcement Choice Hotels International plans to close its Grand Junction call center […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Sales tax collections for Mesa County continue to trend downward, declining on a year-over-year basis for three consecutive months. Total collections so far in 2012 continue to outpace 2011, though, and are projected to come close to matching yearly gains posted before the county went through an economic boom and […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Investors and business owners still have some options to consider in planning for the prospects of higher tax rates and lower exemption levels next year. But time is running out even as what’s been called a “fiscal cliff” looms and the likelihood Congress will address the issue beforehand diminishes. That […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Small business financing activity under two programs backed by a federal agency has rebounded in Mesa County, although not yet to levels seen before the recession. While loan demand has picked up a bit as economic conditions have improved, lenders say many business owners […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A Grand Junction-based company that developed a line of electric cars for commercial as well as personal and recreational uses has been sold to a manufacturer best known for making forklifts. The deal isn’t expected to significantly change daily operations at Evergreen Electric Vehicles at its offices in Grand Junction or […]