Phil Castle, The Business Times While indicators point to generally improving economic conditions in Mesa County, Diane Schwenke isn’t celebrating — at least for the time being. Many of the business owners with which Schwenke talks nearly every day tell her they’re concerned about sales as well as the potential effects of federal health care […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has decreased even as payrolls and labor demand continue to increase. Monthly jobless rates still could vary. But as long-term trends persist, the outlook for recovery improves, said Suzie Miller, business services manager at the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. “It will […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Businesses can play an important role in helping employees recognize and treat depression, in turn reducing a suicide rate that’s far higher in Mesa County than other areas of Colorado and the United States. That’s why Karen Levad hopes business leaders will join in a collaboration to help prevent suicide. […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Tony Gagliardi enjoys nothing more than talking to small business owners, even when he’s mostly listening to complaints. Gagliardi, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), recently met with members of the business advocacy group in Grand Junction. He said he received an earful on such topics […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Tyson and John Witkamp make it their business to clean up in the aftermath of fires, floods and other disasters. They were shocked, nonetheless, by the magnitude of devastation wrought by a wildfire that incinerated entire subdivisions in the Colorado Springs area. The fire reduced houses to piles of rubble, […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times When Rich Englehart started working for the City of Grand Junction 30 years ago, he never imaged he’d one day oversee the operations of the municipal government. He aspired to become parks and recreation director, not city manager. Over the course of his career, Englehart’s ambitions broadened as he realized […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Darin Carei couldn’t be happier with the way things are coming together for his business operations in the Grand Valley. Carei runs a construction company that builds energy efficient homes. He’s also part owner of a company that offers energy conservation ratings and certifications and conducts audits that help customers […]
Given increases in both the number of solar energy systems and businesses installing them in Mesa County, the outlook for the industry appears as bright as the sun from which a growing amount of electricity is produced. Financial incentives and technological advances — not to mention all that sunshine — are expected to drive additional […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times As if a $20 billion market isn’t tempting enough for business owners and managers looking for new customers for their products and services, how about a $500 billion market? The first number is the total dollar volume of state government contracts awarded each year in Colorado. The second number is […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has spiked once again on a seasonal influx of people searching for summer jobs. Labor demand remains strong, however, with increases in posted job openings. According to estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor, the seasonally unadjusted jobless rate in Mesa County jumped […]