A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has increased, but still suggests a recession will continue. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 2.8 percent to 99.8 in May. The increase follows a total decrease of 13.6 percent in April and March. A separate measure of current performance increased […]
A key indicator of sales activity continues to drop in the Grand Valley as a pandemic and related restrictions affect business operations. The City of Grand Junction reported a 22.5 percent decline in sales and use tax collections in May compared to the same month last year. Mesa County reported an 11.8 percent decrease. Grand […]
Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker will soon open a facility offering orthopedic services and serving patients from not only Western Colorado, but also other areas. The orthopedic and specialty center is scheduled to open July 8. The 11,000-square-foot facility includes two operating rooms, three recovery rooms, six inpatient hospital rooms and a clinical space. “This […]
Visitors to the Colorado National Monument spent an estimated $25.2 million in Grand Junction and other nearby communities in 2019, in turn contributing nearly $31 million to the area economy, according to the latest results of an annual analysis conducted by the National Park Service. The economic effects of visits to national parks, monuments and […]
More businesses have reopened and expanded operations in Mesa County under a second variance from state coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Mesa County Public Health received approval to proceed with the second phase of guidelines that allow most businesses to reopen and expand operations to up to half capacity. The next step in the reopening process occurs […]
An analysis is under way to assess the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the Grand Valley economy. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership has joined with Colorado Mesa University to conduct the analysis, the first phase of which involves a survey of about 500 businesses across industry sectors in Mesa County. Nathan Perry, an economics […]
The JC Penney at Mesa Mall in Grand Junction is not among the 154 stores the national apparel and home retailer plans to close in the first phase of a reorganization. The JC Penney at the River Landing Shopping Center in Montrose is on the list of store closures, however. So are locations in the […]
Mesa County Libraries have reopened to public visits, but on a limited basis. The central library in Grand Junction and branch locations in Clifton, Fruita, Orchard Mesa and Palisade as well as in De Beque and Gateway will operate under modified hours. Library locations with multiple doorways have designated entrances and exits. Shelving and furniture […]
The Grand Junction Kiwanis Club canceled its Pancake Day for the first time since the annual fund-raiser started in 1967. But thanks to corporate sponsors, nearly $14,000 still was raised. Toni Heiden-Moran, chairwoman of the Kiwanis Pancake Day and Fun Fest, said 38 businesses that agreed to sponsor the event declined refunds even though the […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has rebounded on more upbeat expectations for improving sales and staffing. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose 4.5 points to 94.4 in May. The index dropped a total of 13.6 points in April and March in the aftermath of […]