Group out to make connections

There’s no denying the growing influence of a growing Latino population in terms of politics, culture or economics. So it’s fitting an organization has been formed to not only respond to this important change in demographics, but also help in making connections between Latino and non-Latino businesses and people. The Western Colorado Latino Chamber of […]

Declining tax collections troubling economic news

Counterbalancing the good news about economic recovery in the Grand Valley is the increasingly worrisome news about sales tax collections. According to the latest monthly reports, sales tax collections dropped on a year-over-year basis 4.4 percent in Mesa County and 4.1 percent in Grand Junction. The declines are doubly troublesome because they reflect sales in […]

Small business report: conditions improving, but challenges persist

While the economic environment has improved, small businesses continue to face lingering challenges from the recession, according to the latest version of an annual report published by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy. “‘The Small Business Economy 2012’ demonstrates that small businesses have been at the core of our economy’s growth over the […]

SBA plans webinars on crowdfunding and urban farming

A series of online presentations will offer information about crowdfunding and urban farming. The U.S. Small Business Administration will host the three webinars as part of National Entrepreneurship Week. The webinars are scheduled for 1 p.m. (MST) Feb. 19, 20 and 21. To  join in the webinars, participants should log on to www.connectmeeting.att.com, enter meeting […]

Foreclosure rate remains high in Mesa County

Property foreclosure sales continued to increase on a year-over-year basis Mesa County during the fourth quarter of 2012 even as the county continued to experience one of the highest foreclosure rates in Colorado. According to the latest figures compiled by the Colorado Division of Housing, 202 foreclosure sales were reported in Mesa County during the […]

Telecommunications firm announces plans to buy regional cable provider

One of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States has announced plans to purchase a regional provider of cable television, Internet and telephone services. Charter Communications has reached an agreement with Cablevision Systems Corp. to acquire Optimum West for $1.6 billion in cash. Optimism West provides Optimum-branded cable television, Internet and telephone services to […]

HomewardBound hires new executive director

Douglas Karl has joined HomewardBound as the new executive director of the Grand Junction organization that operates a homeless shelter and other transitional living programs. Karl is scheduled to assume his new position starting Feb. 18. A.J. Johnson has served as interim director of HomewardBound during the search for a permanent director. HomewardBound operates a […]

Home inspector marks 10 years of society membership

Nick Iellamo of BuyerWise Property Inspection in Grand Junction has been honored for 10 years of membership in the American Society of Home Inspectors. Iellamo has been an ASHI-certified inspector since January 2012, a designation he achieved by completing two comprehensive examinations and meeting professional and technical requirements. Certified inspectors also must complete at least […]