Community driven branding initiative planned

A city department plans to involve residents in new efforts to market Grand Junction as a destination. “A successful destination brand will embody how people feel when they think of a specific destination. And if the brand is effective, once they visit, the expectation they imagined is the experience they received,” said Elizabeth Fogarty, director […]

Chamber honors expansive efforts

The Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce has honored nine businesses for expansions involving a total of nearly $50 million in investments and almost 400 jobs. The businesses were honored during the chamber’s latest quarterly membership meeting. EcoGen Laboratories was recognized for an expansion involving $25 million and 185 jobs. The Grand Junction-based company manufactures and […]

Tax collections reflect increased retail and hospitality activity

Sales tax collections continue to rise in Mesa County, an indication in part of increasing retail activity. Mesa County reported a 12.2 percent increase in sales tax collections for November compared to the same month last year. The City of Grand Junction reported a 2.9 percent increase in year-over-year collections. November collections reflect October sales. […]

Survey: Small business owners more upbeat

A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has posted its largest gain in more than a year on more upbeat expectations for the economy as well as earnings and hiring. “Owners are aggressively moving forward with their business plans, proving that when they’re given relief from the government, they put their money where […]

State-operated insurance could be a tough pill to swallow for small business owners

Over recent years, rising health care costs have become a primary concern among small business owners as they have for much of the public. We have watched with reluctant disappointment as politicians have eagerly pitched government-provided solutions — and with even greater disappointment as they cleverly eschew questions about the true costs of such plans […]

U.S. payrolls swell as jobless rate slips

U.S. payrolls swelled in November and the unemployment rate edged down to its lowest level in 50 years. Nonfarm payrolls increased 266,000 and the jobless rate slipped a tenth of a point to 3.5 percent, according to the latest Labor Department estimates. The initial estimate for payroll gains in October was revised upward 28,000 to […]

Defense contractor pays settlement to resolve fraud claims

A Grand Junction-based defense contractor has agreed to pay more than $1 million to resolve allegations it defrauded the Army in supplying grenade launchers that didn’t meet contract specifications, a United States attorney announced. Capco agreed to pay $1,025,429. While entering into the settlement, the company didn’t admit to any liability or wrongdoing. “We entrust […]