The end of 2010 found the Mesa County labor market in the same place as when the year began: with the monthly unemployment rate in double digits. According to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), the unadjusted jobless rate rose four-tenths to 10.2 percent in December. That matches the […]
The latest results of an ongoing analysis confirm the growing role of Mesa State College in the Western Colorado economy. According to an analysis for the 2009 and 2010 fiscal years, the Grand Junction-based college injected $176 million into the economy through student expenditures, capital construction, purchases and employee wages. Add the indirect effects of […]
Even as Colorado lags behind other areas of the nation in economic recovery, Grand Junction lags behind other cities in the state. The situation is likely to persist until the housing market and construction employment improves. But increased activity in the energy sector could help. Moreover, the health care and education sectors remain strong economic […]
Vance Wagner has come full circle in his 18-year career with American National Bank. Wagner joined what was at the time Mesa National Bank in 1993 when Bill Sisson convinced him to manage operations in Glenwood Springs. Wagner now works out of Sisson’s former office in downtown Grand Junction as the new regional president for […]
Jeff Nichols oversees an organization that provides a wide range of services to Mesa County residents with physical and intellectual disabilities. In addition to helping clients, though, Mesa Developmental Services helps Grand Valley businesses through programs that provide janitorial, landscaping and production services. MDS also helps businesses find employees to fill what often are high-turnover […]
Doug May expects economic recovery to gain traction during 2011 even as consumers and business owners regain confidence and stock prices rise. While U.S. payrolls will grow, the gains won’t be enough to substantially pull down unemployment rates, however. “Things are better. But if you’re looking for a job, you probably don’t feel it,” said […]
When demand for storage space at his Grand Junction warehouse dropped off dramatically, Ray Scott found another use for part of the operation. He constructed an indoor sports facility with a soccer field and batting cages. Demand of a different sort has quickly increased since Skyline Sports opened in January — this time from soccer, […]
Business owners and managers resolved to improve the energy efficiency of their operations this year likely will have a lot of options from which to choose. Replacing incandescent lighting, sealing leaks and repairing ductwork rank among the easiest ways to improve energy efficiency and offer some of the fastest returns on investment. Still, that’s just […]
Yanus Nelson has a strategy for increasing market share for Wells Fargo Bank in Western Colorado and that’s to “outlocal” the other national banks and “outnational” the local banks. Nelson believes Wells Fargo is well-positioned to compete by offering services tailored to meet the unique needs of individual customers along with the resources of one […]
Lois Dunn expects some sectors of the Grand Valley economy to improve during 2011. But overall, she suspects this year likely will look a lot like last year. Regardless of what happens, Dunn said the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce offers services that will help businesses get through. As the new chairwoman of the […]