Troy Smith, for nine years a deputy chief with the Grand Junction Police Department, has been selected as the new chief of police in Commerce City. Smith brings to his new duties 22 years of experience in law enforcement. Prior to joining the Grand Junction force, he served as executive director of the Colorado Department […]
Colorado continues to rank among the top 10 entrepreneur-friendly states in an annual analysis of tax, regulatory and spending policies. Colorado remains ninth overall in the 2012 U.S. Business Policy Index compiled by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, a small business advocacy and research group based in Washington, D.C. The index offers a state-by-state […]
Mesa County continues to report the highest property foreclosure rate among metropolitan counties in Colorado despite a substantial year-over-year decline in foreclosure activity in November. According to statistics compiled by the Colorado Division of Housing, Mesa County reported a foreclosure rate of one completed foreclosure for every 1,143 households during November. That’s the highest rate […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has tumbled to one of its lowest readings ever as concerns mount business conditions will worsen. “Between the looming ‘fiscal cliff,’ higher health care costs and the endless onslaught of new regulations, owners have found themselves in a state of pessimism. We are forced to ask: […]
Spending on roads, public safety facilities and a new work force center is included in a 2013 budget for Mesa County that’s expected to improve infrastructure as well as the local economy. “Next year our capital budget includes projects that improve road safety, upgrade law enforcement facilities, help job seekers and businesses and maintain critical […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has tumbled to one of its lowest readings ever as concerns mount business conditions will worsen. “Between the looming ‘fiscal cliff,’ higher health care costs and the endless onslaught of new regulations, owners have found themselves in a state of pessimism. We are forced to ask: […]
A monthly index tracking labor trends has slipped, signaling slowing job growth in the United States. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index edged down to 107.82 in November for the fourth decline this year. The latest reading remains 3.3 percent higher than a year ago, however. “The Employment Trends Index remains weak […]
How can Mesa County become an epicenter for energy innovation? A new center at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction is looking for ideas on how to acheve that goal and expects to award up to $160,000 in 2013 to help fund applied research and workforce development projects. “We’ve spent a great deal of time […]
Employment rose and unemployment declined as hurricane damage appeared to have little lasting effect on the U.S. labor market in November. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls increased 146,000. The monthly jobless rate fell two-tenths of a point to 7.7 percent, the lowest level since December 2008. The decline largely reflects unsuccessful […]
The City of Grand Junction will increase spending in 2013 for a variety of capital projects and a slightly larger staff under a budget that’s still lower overall. The Grand Junction City Council approved a $145.8 budget for 2013, more than $8 million less than the budget for 2012. Mayor Bill Pitts said the council […]