Review session: the good, the bad and the ugly

Phil Castle, The Business Times               Despite the  ongoing distractions of election-year politics, four state lawmakers from Western Colorado were pleased with some of the legislation enacted during the latest session. That includes measures making it easier to register mobile machinery, extending the sales tax exemption on beetle-killed timber, […]

Chamber survey results reflect more upbeat outlook

Phil Castle, The Business Times The latest results of a twice-annual survey of Grand Valley business owners and managers reflect a more positive outlook for the economy, hiring and capital expenditures. “This is the most upbeat I’ve seen people,” said Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. […]

New direction for North: Business owners consider revitalization efforts

New direction for North: Business owners consider revitalization efforts

Phil Castle, The Business Times Poppy Woody has operated a medical supply business along North Avenue in Grand Junction for nearly 30 years. Over that span, Woody has watched as what was once one of the most vibrant commercial districts in the city has lost grocery stores, restaurants and hotels to other areas. While traffic […]

Property manager disputes spike in apartment vacancy rate

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  Cindy Hoppe disputes the latest results of a quarterly survey that pegs the average apartment vacancy rate in Grand Junction at more than 10 percent. Hoppe, manager of Bray Property Management in Grand Junction, believes the apartment vacancy rate likely dropped below 7 percent during the first quarter of this […]

Training assistance available for skilled workers

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  A Grand Junction manufacturer was among the first businesses in Colorado to take advantage of a program offering assistance in training highly skilled workers. It’s a promising start to what Suzie Miller, business services manager at the Mesa County Workforce Center, foresees as a helpful effort. “We’re really excited about […]

Jobless rate seesaws down in Mesa County

Phil Castle, The Business Times: The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has seesawed back down as a drop in the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for jobs exceeded a smaller decline in payrolls. Meanwhile, labor demand as tracked by a separate measure persists at its highest level in four years, a […]

Electronics recycling a fast-growing venture

Phil Castle, The Business Times Running a fast-growing electronic recycling business has been something of a moving experience for Ken Burns and Jeffery Ferguson. By accepting nearly everything that plugs into an outlet or runs on batteries, E-Waste Recyclers of Colorado has grown as rapidly as the volume of materials the Grand Junction company handles. […]

Energetic marketing effort pays off

Phil Castle, The Business Times How can companies convince college graduates with degrees in engineering, accounting and other professional fields to consider careers in the energy industry? One recruiting tool could be a reality television show that offers both an educational and entertaining look at the variety of jobs in the industry while appealing to […]

Women entrepreneurs encouraged to take steps toward success

Phil Castle, The Business Times Rachel Cosgrove defies any outdated stereotype of women as damsels in distress. Cosgrove has developed one of the top gyms in the United State and along the way has become a corporate consultant, magazine columnist and best-selling author. Other women can enjoy similar success if they take the correct steps […]

Economic outlook uncertain

Phil Castle, The Business Times Scott Anderson ranks among the top forecasting economists in the United States. Faced with the uncertainty associated with a slow recovery in the U.S., a recession in Europe and an upcoming presidential election, though, even Anderson has difficulty discerning the future. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in 2013,” […]