A monthly measure of consumer confidence has seesawed down as uncertainty over the effects of government spending cuts cloud the outlook for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) fell more than eight points to 59.7 in March. The CCI has had its ups and downs over the […]
Mesa County continues to experience the highest property foreclosure rate among metropolitan counties in Colorado despite a substantial decline in foreclosure activity over the past year. According to the latest statistics compiled by the Colorado Division of Housing, a foreclosure rate of one completed foreclosure for every 1,022 households was reported in Mesa County in […]
An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has increased for a third straight month, pointing to continued, albeit slow, growth in the months ahead. Separate measures of current and past economic performance also increased. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) climbed five-tenths of a percent in February to 94.8. […]
Lodging tax collections have dropped for a third straight month, a reflection of decreased business for hotels and motels in Grand Junction. According to the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau for February, $60,416 in lodging taxes were collected, 2.7 percent less than what was reported for February 2012. Since lodging tax reports lag a […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners continues to increase, but not yet enough to signal substantial changes in hiring or spending. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Index of Small Business Optimism rose 1.9 points to 90.8 in February. While the index has posted gains in each of the last […]
The Business Times sent questionnaires to the 10 candidates in the Grand Junction City Council election asking the same six questions: 1. Why do you seek election (or re-election) to the city council? 2. What, in your view, are the roles of city government and the council? 3. What are your top priorities and how […]
Four candidates seeking election to the Grand Junction City Council have received endorsements from the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The board endorsed Phyllis Norris in the race in Council District A, Martin Chazen in District D, Duncan McArthur in District E and Rick Brainard in the race for an at-large […]
While United Way of Mesa County fell short of its latest campaign goal, more than $1 million still was raised to help fund health and human service programs. As of Feb. 28, the 2012 and 2013 United Way campaign total stood at $1,002,102. That’s about 7 percent less than what was raised by this time […]
Applications will be accepted through March 18 for an annual conference designed to give 100 Colorado residents a better understanding of federal legislative processes. U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, a Democrat from Colorado, hosts will the Colorado Capital Conference along with Colorado Mesa University and the University of Colorado. The 2013 conference is set for June […]
Colorado ranks among the top 10 states for new wind power installations, part of a nationwide surge in electric generation from the renewable energy source. Wind power grew 28 percent in the United States in 2012 alone and became the top new source for electric generating capacity, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), […]