Phil Castle, The Business Times Real estate activity in Mesa County through 11 months of 2016 has exceeded all of 2015 — not to mention what Robert Bray initially had anticipated for this year. “2016 has clearly exceeded my expectations, and I’m happy that it has,” said Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times What would happen if you’re invited to a delightful dinner party and between the appetizer and main course someone suddenly dies? What sounds like tragic circumstances — not to mention a significant buzzkill — is anything but for a new Grand Valley business that stages interactive dinner theater performances in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Diane Schwenke holds out hope the holiday shopping season could be if not the most wonderful time of this year for Grand Valley businesses, then at least a bit better than last year. “I am still upbeat about the holiday season,” said Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Are businesses better off or worse off following the election? Diane Schwenke, for one, doesn’t believe there’s a simple answer. “I think it’s a mixed bag,” said Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. Tony Gagliardi, Colorado director of the National Federation of […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times As much as Page Tucker appreciates the recognition he’s received from a statewide award, he’s just as pleased about the opportunity to draw attention to what he expects to become a growing role for technology companies in the Grand Valley and Western Colorado. “It’s definitely shined a spotlight on the […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped to its lowest level of the year even as payrolls and the overall labor force grows. “Those are two really good signs for us to see,” said Curtis Englehart, manager of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. Those trends […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times In terms of local sales and use tax collections, 2016 likely will end up more like 2014 than 2015. Collections for the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County continue to lag and, barring a surge over the next two months, will remain below year-end totals for 2015. City and […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Faced with the prospect of reduced hours or even losing her job as a safety specialist in the energy industry, Shannon Key decided instead to start her own business. That choice has worked out well so far, Key said, as she taps her training and experience to offer services to […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While the number of loans issued in Mesa County under two federally backed small business programs held steady during the last fiscal year, the collective dollar volume of those loans dropped by more than half. According to the Colorado District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, a total of […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Janet Gardner traces her natural curiosity to a childhood growing up in the Grand Valley and time spent outdoors camping, hiking and exploring. “I was always the kid who was flipping over the rocks to see what was there.” Further inspired by the National Geographic and Jacques Cousteau specials she […]