Colorado Mesa University and attorney Terry Farina were the latest recipients of annual awards honoring contributions to economic development. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership presented the awards during the Western Colorado Economic Summit. GJEP presented the Spirit of Economic Development Award to CMU in recognition of growth that has in turn bolstered the Western Colorado […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Kristi Pollard said she’s observed a noticeable difference in the prospects for economic development in Mesa County. “In the last year, things have really started to change,” said Pollard, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. Pollard reviewed the efforts of the organization during an annual update presented as […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times What do companies want in looking for places in which to open or relocate facilities? “Everything,” according to Kathy Mussio, co-founder and managing director of Atlas Insight and a management, incentive and site selection consultant. While that short answer constitutes a joke, companies seriously consider a lot of quantitative and […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Ben Collins learned something about economic development while serving as a combat soldier. Success, Collins said, depends more on grass-roots efforts than top-down programs, however well-intentioned. That holds true in Western Colorado as much as it does Afghanistan, he added. “We are the ones who are going to have to […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Erica Witherspoon took her time searching for a place in which to relocate. After working for such corporate giants as Amazon, Microsoft and Nintendo in the Seattle area, she says she was ready for a change of pace as well as scenery. A lengthy road trip took Witherspoon through Oregon, California, […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sales tax collections have increased for a second consecutive month in the Grand Valley — gains that might not yet constitute a trend, but could signal increasing consumer confidence and the discretionary spending that goes with it. “I think good things are happening in the community, and people are starting […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The pace of real estate activity in Mesa County accelerated in May to its highest level in more than six years with gains in sales, dollar volume and median pricing. “It’s wonderfully surprising,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction. Annette Miller, senior vice […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times John Hickenlooper believes efforts to promote economic development in Colorado have paid off in many ways, among them historically low unemployment rates. Although Mesa County hasn’t yet recovered from the recession to the same extent as the Front Range, the Colorado governor sees improvement as well as the potential for […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Water plays an essential role in the Grand Valley economy whether its used for irrigation, recreation or, in the case of recruiting businesses to the area, attraction. “Water is the lifeblood of our state and our community,” says Kristi Pollard, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership economic development […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped to its lowest level in nine years as hiring increases across a broader range of industry sectors. While the labor force remains well below the peak levels of the boom that preceded the bust, other indicators reflect market improvement, said Curtis […]