One of seven grants will help fund efforts to provide Internet services in the Collbran and Molina areas of Mesa County. The Broadband Deployment Board within the Department of Regulatory Agencies announced $2.1 million in grants as part of efforts to close the Internet services gap between rural and urban Colorado communities. Optimus Communications was […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has jumped to its highest level since 2004 on more upbeat expectations for improving conditions. “We haven’t seen numbers like this in a long time. Small business is ready for a breakout, and that can only mean very good things for the U.S. economy,” said Juanita […]
A measure of hotel and motel stays in Grand Junction declined in December, but still outpaced last year. The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau reported $75,042 in lodging taxes were collected in December, 4.6 percent less than what was collected for the same month last year. December collections reflect hotel and motel stays in […]
U.S. payrolls continue to grow, although the latest gain fell below the monthly average for the year. Nonfarm payrolls increased 156,000 in December, according to the latest Labor Department estimates. The unemployment rate edged up a tenth of a point to 4.7 percent. Initial estimates for payroll gains in November and October were revised upward […]
Colorado business leaders are more optimistic heading into the new year thanks in part to the prospect of lower taxes and regulatory reform under a new presidential administration, according to the latest results of a quarterly survey. “We thought one way or the other, the election would be enough to sort of stabilize business expectations […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence continues to increase along with expectations for improving business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index rose 4.3 points to 113.7 in December. While a component of the index tracking present conditions decreased, a component tracking expectations jumped more than 11 points to its highest […]
An index forecasting economic performance in the United States remains unchanged, but continues to signal moderate growth through the first half of the new year. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index held steady at 124.6 in November, while separate measures of current and past conditions both increased. “The underlying trends in the […]
While lodging tax collections slipped in Grand Junction in November, they continue to outpace last year and signal increased business for the local hospitality sector. The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau reported that $117,055 in lodging taxes were collected in November. That’s $2,658 or about 2.2 percent less than what was collected during the […]
Officials with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado State University are working with a vineyard owner to contain and eradicate the pest even as surveying continues to assess the scope of the infestation. “Hopefully, we’ve caught this quickly enough to protect Colorado’s grape crop,” said Laura Pottorff, a nursery and phytosanitary program manager with […]
Two Grand Junction police officers will be deployed downtown next year as part of a collaborative effort to increase the police presence there. The Downtown Development Authority board of directors voted to divert a portion of sales tax revenues to pay for two officers who’ll be dedicated to working downtown. The downtown officers are expected […]