Innovation imperative: How small businesses can become more competitive

With President Barack Obama’s call for the small business community to focus on innovation and creativity to enhance U.S. competitiveness in the world economy, it’s time for entrepreneurs and small business owners to take up the challenge. Startup America is an initiative aimed at strengthening access for entrepreneurs and firms with high-growth potential to a […]

Consumer Confidence Index rises to three-year high

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has climbed to its highest level in three years on more optimistic expectations for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rose 5.6 points in February to 70.4. The index now stands at its highest level since hitting 76.4 in February 2008. […]

Hail to the new chiefs

Two important Western Colorado organizations have new leaders. By all indications, well-qualified and thoughtful people have stepped into those roles. At St. Mary’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Michael McBride is well into a busy first year as the new president and chief executive officer. Meanwhile, Bonnie Petersen has just started as the new executive […]

Proposed dirty dozen tax hikes prove pro-business talk is cheap

A dramatic shift in rhetoric emanating from the Barack Obama White House occurred after the November elections. Before November, anti-business talk and policies reigned. Since the election, President Obama has worked to shift the administration’s tone towards business. As evident by the president’s budget proposal, though, political talk turns out, once again, to be quite […]

NFIB plans capitol event for small business owners

Registration is under way for an annual event that brings together small business owners and state policymakers in Colorado. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has scheduled its Small Business Day at the Capitol for March 10. The event is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Old Supreme Court Chambers in […]

Airport: 2010 second-busiest for boardings

Commercial passenger traffic at the Grand Junction Regional Airport in 2010 lagged behind the record pace set a year earlier, but still posted the second-highest annual total ever. A total of 221,826 enplanements — that is, passengers boarding commercial flights — was reported during 2010 at the airport. That total represents a decline of 4.2 percent […]