Latino chamber to host SBA presentation

Phil Castle, The Business Times The Western Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce will host a presentation in Grand Junction by representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, including Ed Cadena, director of the Colorado District Office. The presentation is set for 11:30 a.m. July 27 at Spoons Bistro, 3090 N. 12th St. The event is […]

Survey: Projected West Slope pay increases lowest in state

Phil Castle, The Business Times As a group, employers in Western Colorado expect to increase their wages proportionally less in 2017 than employers in other areas of the state, according to the latest results of an annual survey. West Slope employers responding to a survey conducted by the Mountain States Employers Council said they plan […]

Tourism outlook upbeat

Phil Castle, The Business Times Barb Bowman holds great expectations for tourism in the Grand Valley not only the busy summer season, but also the increasingly prominent role the sector plays in the local economy. “It’s good news. I mean, it really is,” said Bowman, division manager of the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau. […]

Mesa County jobless rate takes a dip

Phil Castle, The Business Times The unemployment rate has retreated in Mesa County as hiring picks up for the summer. Moreover, the overall labor force in the county has increased even as claims for unemployment insurance has decreased. “I think this is encouraging,” said Celina Kirnberger, business services supervisor at the Mesa County Workforce Center […]

Officials: Tax collections more encouraging

Phil Castle, The Business Times After watching sales and use tax collections decline for months, local officials say they’re a bit more heartened by the latest numbers. “There are some encouraging signs here,” said Eleanor Thomas, budget manager for Mesa County. Jodi Romero, financial operations director for the City of Grand Junction, said an increase […]

Mortgage meltdown survivor: Change happens. Let it

Phil Castle, The Business Times Brian Stevens experienced an epiphany of sorts in the aftermath of the housing crises. A once successful mortgage officer, Stevens saw his income plummet and the money he’d accumulated disappear. He was worried about how he’d provide for his family, especially with another child on the way. But the realization […]

Efforts encourage economic development official

Phil Castle, The Business Times Kristi Pollard believes efforts to create jobs and improve the economy in Mesa County have gained momentum. The executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership said the group is working to bring new businesses to the area while assisting existing businesses with expansions. A state program offering tax incentives […]

Commercial real estate outlook positive

Phil Castle, The Business Times Office spaces, retail outlets and warehouses likely will become smaller as businesses respond to changes in productivity, commerce and distribution. Meanwhile, prospects for commercial real estate in the United States remain encouraging, according to Fred Schmidt, president and chief operating officer of  Coldwell Banker Commercial. “The outlook for commercial real […]